THE  KISS 
OF  GLORY 


BY    GRACE 
DVFFIE    BOYLAN 


WHAT  IS  SAID  OF  "THE  KISS  OF  GLORY 


In  many  ways  "  The  Kiss  of  Glory  "  is  a  remarkable  book. 
It  has  fancy,  blood,  and  passion  in  it,  and  in  comparison 
with  the  recent  crop  of  domestic  fiction  it  is  like  some 
strange,  brilliant,  tropical  bird  that  has  fluttered  down 
among  a  lot  of  barnyard  fowls.  On  every  page  we  catch 
the  clash  of  spears,  the  whiff  of  strange  perfumes,  and 
glimpse  the  dusky  beauty  of  half-veiled  Egyptian  women. 
— New  York  Journal. 

The  story  unfolds  rapidly  and  progresses  straight 
toward  its  dramatic  conclusion.  Its  characters  are  men 
and  women  whom  we  can  recognize  as  beings  like  our 
selves. — New  York  Mail  and  Express. 

This  is  Grace  Duffie  Boylan's  first  novel,  and,  to  be 
plain,  it  is  a  cracking  good  one. — Rochester,  N.  Y.,  Herald. 

"  The  Kiss  of  Glory  "  is  a  sweetening  influence  in  the 
literature  of  the  year. — Boston  Herald. 

A  beautiful  and  wholesome  story. — Boston  Times. 
A  good  story  well  told. — Albany  Journal. 

One  of  the  greatest  stories  in  all  literature,  wholly 
human  in  the  elemental  passions  exhibited.  It  is  a 
powerful  portrayal.  Mrs.  Boylan  has  been  fortunate  in 
imagining  a  passion  in  entire  keeping  with  the  oriental 
surroundings  which  give  the  book  as  a  whole  its  fine 
exotic  flavor. — Chicago  American. 

"  The  Kiss  of  Glory  "  is  an  idyl.  Full  of  tender  speeches 
and  poetic  sentiments.  As  a  romance  of  love  it  is  without 
a  blemish. — Denver  Republican. 

"  The  Kiss  of  Glory"  is  unquestionably  one  of  the  great 
est  works  of  fiction  of  our  times. — Saratoga  Springs 
Herald. 

The  work  is  a  masterpiece.  The  theme  is  as  fascinating 
as  it  is  audacious,  and  when  the  triumphal  climax  is 
reached  the  reader  is  divided  between  two  sensations: 
regret  that  the  story  must  end  and  admiration  for  Mrs. 
Boylan's  superb  gift. — Albany  Times-Union. 

Handsomely  bound  in  cloth,  with  a  beautiful  frontis 
piece  by  J.  C.  Leyendecker.  Price,  31.50. 

G.  W,  DILLINGHAM  COMPANY, 

Publishers,  New  York 


The    Kiss   of  Glory 


/  he  Kiss  of  Crlory 


By 
Grace   Dujjie  Boylan 


Illustrations  and  Cover  by 

J.    C.   Leyendecker 


:G.  W.  DILLINGHAM  COMPANY 

Publishers  New  York 


Copyright 
1QO2,  by 
GRACE 
DUFF  IE 
BOYLAN 


All  Rightt 
Reser-ved 


Entered  at 
Stationers' 
Hall 


The  Kiss  of  Glory. 


Issued  September,  IQO3. 


SRLF 


MALCOLM 


FOREWORD 

/4MONG  the  scarabei  in  the  Metropoli- 

tan  Museum  in  'New  York  is  one  which 

bears   upon   its   back    this  ancient  writing: 

' '  This  scarab  -was  placed  in  the  mummy  of 
the  king' s  scribe,  Nesh  Ptah,  son  of  Khonsu 
Maut.  It  contains  the  Chapter  of  the  Heart 
from  the  Book  of  the  Dead.'''' 

The  king*  s  scribe  is  a  fleck  of  dust.  His 
records  of  defeats  and  victories,  his  battle 
songs  and  verses  to  the  queen,  and  all  the  nice 
accountings  of  his  clerkly  hand  have  passed 
away.  Only  the  Chapter  of  the  Heart 
remains.  For  love  is  there;  and  love  is  the 
one  thing  that  does  not  die. 

This  story  is  the  Chapter  of  the  Heart  of 
Joseph,  the  son  of  Jacob :  the  heart  of  the 
boy,  filled  with  visions  of  the  fields ;  and  the 
heart  of  the  man,  filled  with  stormy  dreams 
of  one  fair  woman. 

So,  if  I  tell  the  tale  but  simply  at  the 
start,  and  dwell  on  little  joys  and  timid  loves 
awhile,  it  is  because  this  untaught  shepherd 
has  long  ways  to  go  before  he  reaches  Egypt 
and  his  Hour  of  Understanding. 

GRACE  DUFF  IE  BOTLAN 


The  People  of  the  Story 

JOSEPH,  a  mighty  archer,  also  known  as  Dath  and  Zaph- 
nath  Paaneah. 


ASENATH,  the  loveliest  maid  in  all  Egypt  and  daughter  of 
THE  HIGH   PRIEST  OF  HELIOPOLIS. 

POTIPHAR,  captain  of  the  king's  troops.  A  man  to 
whom  the  pipes  of  war  are  sweeter  than  the  songs 
of  women. 

ZEREL,  the  wife  of  Potiphar.  A  lonely  woman,  by  the 
world  misjudged. 

APEPI,  the  last  of  the  shepherd  kings  and  the  first  great 
grain  speculator. 

TAIA,  his  queen,  who  schemes,  like  any  other  mother, 
for  her  son's  happiness. 

MENTU,  the  crown  prince  of  Egypt.  A  youth  with  a 
talent  for  falling  in  love. 

AMAN,  an  Arab  chief  and  head  of  the  caravan  trade 
from  Damascus  to  the  Nile. 

LAYAH,    his   wife.       The  mother   of  the  pearl  of  the 

desert. 


THE  PEOPLE  OF  THE  STORY— Continued 

LOUIMMA,  a  girl  whose  heart  beats  with  the  hoof  music 
of  horses. 

ESAU,  Joseph's  uncle,  prince  of  Edom. 

RHODA,    his  granddaughter,    a   red-haired   beauty    who 
captures  her  capturer. 

MIRZAH,  ELMA,  companions  of  Rhoda. 
ORPAH,  TASU,  attendants  on  the  lady  Asenath, 

JUBAL,  an  innkeeper,  with  a  novel  fashion  of  recording 
his  guests, 

ZENOCK,  a  slave  of  Aman. 
OMAR,  a  potter  of  Edom. 

NECO,  an  Egyptian  dwarf  and  jester  with  a  taste  for 
conundrums. 

THAH-OF-THE-OVENS,  the  king1  s  baker. 
REUEL,  a  gentleman  of  Esau's  court. 

REUBEN,  JUDAH,  LEVI,   NAPHTALI,  SIMEON,   DAN,  GAD, 
ASHER,  BENJAMIN,  brothers  of  Joseph. 

Soldiers,  archers,  hunters,  merchants,  horse  traders, 
acrobats,  athletes,  dancing  girls,  singing  children,  men 
and  women  riders,  Ishmaelites,  pygmies,  priests,  maidens 
of  the  temple,  pleasure  seekers,  heralds,  and  slaves. 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  PAGE 

7.  A  Race  and  a  Wager  -  -  ij 

II.  The  Dreamer     -     -  -  -  28 

HI.  Caravans  of  Araby  4.0 

IV.  A  Song  and  a  Choice  -  -  51 

V.  A  Son  of  a  Star-     -  -  -  65 

VI.  The  Eagle's  Flight  -  -  -  76 

VII.  Mtzraim       -     -     -  -  -  po 

VIII.  Winged  Arrows  -     -  -  -  pp 

IX.  Under  the  Seventh  Obelisk  114. 

X.  The  Story  of  a  Love  -  -  123 

XI.  Helmets  of  War       -  -  -  134 


CONTENTS—  Continued 


CHAPTER  PAGE 

XII.        The    End    of  the    Torch 
Race      ---- 


XIII.  A  Princess  of  Sela  -     -     -   161 

XIV.  Trumpets  of  Battle      - 


XV.  The    Ruler    of  tie    Red 

Hills     .....  i92 

XVI.  The  Wife  of  Potiphar       -206 

XVII.  In  the  Shawl  Tents     -     -  217 

XVIII.  The  Garden  of  Love    -     -  228 

XIX.  Schemes     of    Kings  —  and 

Mothers       -     -     -     -  24.3 

XX.  The  Heart  of  a  Woman    -  254. 
XXL      Palace  and  Tent  of  Stars  -  279 


THE  KISS  OF  GLORY 


CHAPTER  I 

A  Race  and  a   Wager 

DAN  sat  with  his  back  to  the  fountain, 
and  stretched  his  arms,  full  length, 
along  the  basin's  rim.  Behind  him 
the  waters,  fed  by  a  subterranean  spring,  rose 
to  a  height  of  fifteen  feet  and  waved  a  plume 
of  spray  in  the  air.  Occasionally,  when  a 
breeze  disturbed  and  scattered  it,  some  shin 
ing  drops  fell  over  the  boy.  But  he  shook 
them  from  his  bare  shoulders  and  black  locks 
as  one  of  his  own  sheep  might  have  done,  and 
kept  his  interested  gaze  on  the  movements  of 
two  other  lads  who  were  marking  a  racecourse 
between  the  point  where  the  plain  began  to 
rise  toward  the  hills  and  the  stone  which 

2 


rHE    KISS 
OF   GLORT 


guarded  the  entrance  to  the  large  cistern — a 
pool  of  considerable  depth  next  to  the  foun 
tain  and  probably  the  first  reservoir  of  the 
underground  stream. 

The  lads  had  chosen  a  level  stretch  of  land 
half  a  mile  in  length,  and  although  it  was  cov 
ered  with  grass,  the  sheep,  now  grazing  in 
sight  but  farther  toward  the  mountains,  had 
clipped  it  close  as  a  carpet  and  left  nothing  to 
impede  the  bare  feet  of  the  runners — if,  in 
deed,  the  slight  spring  imparted  to  them  by 
the  verdure  did  not  increase  their  speed.  As 
they  came  running  back  to  the  starting  point, 
Dan  sprang  to  his  feet  and  called : 

"  My  best  lamb  to  the  winner." 

And  the  two  threw  off  their  upper  garments 
and  stood  side  by  side,  with  slender  limbs 
trembling  and  chests  heaving,  waiting  only 
the  signal  to  begin.  Dan  saw  that  they  were 
already  tired  with  their  labors  and  went  to 
ward  them. 

"  Rest  here  until  the  others  come,"  he  said ; 
"  and  I  will  mark  a  line  with  this  red  stone, 
that  you  may  start  evenly." 


rHE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


"  Reuben  wanted  to  see  the  race,"  said  the 
younger  of  the  runners,  "  and  he  promised  a 
prize." 

"  I  saw  him  carving  a  polished  ram's  horn 
and  setting  it  with  bright-colored  stones,"  ex 
claimed  the  other  boy.  "  Perhaps  it  will  be 
that!" 

There  was  a  shepherd's  horn  on  the  wall  of 
the  fountain,  and  Dan  pointed  to  it. 

"  Call  our  brothers,"  he  said.  "  It  would 
be  a  pity  to  have  a  mighty  race  and  no  one 
here  to  see  it.  But  wait " — he  took  the  horn 
from  the  lad  just  as  he  was  raising  it  to  his 
lips — "  an  athlete  does  not  win  a  race  by 
trumpet  blowing.  He  keeps  his  breath  in  his 
lungs  that  it  may  help  his  legs.  Now !  " 

He  lifted  the  instrument  and  blew  its  harsh 
call  vigorously,  and  in  a  moment  answering 
notes  came  back  across  the  plain. 

"  They  will  come,"  he  laughed,  "  and  the 
sheep  must  take  care  of  themselves  until  we 
find  out  who  is  the  fleetest  runner  in  Canaan. 
And  if  they  wander  away,  he  can  prove  his 
swiftness  by  running  after  and  bringing  them 


KISS 
P   GLORT 


back  while  the  rest  of  us  tell  tales  here  by  the 
fountain." 

The  young  contestants  were  not  quite  satis 
fied  with  the  logic;  but  they  knew  Dan  was 
ever  a  jester,  and  so  they  looked  at  each 
other  with  smiles. 

"  Here  come  your  witnesses,"  he  con 
tinued.  "  Now,  spring  to  your  places  and  put 
your  great  toes  across  the  line.  The  end  of 
one  must  not  extend  a  hair's  breadth  beyond 
the  other  or  I  shall  have  to  trim  off  the  dif 
ference  with  my  shears." 

He  spoke  with  assumed  roughness,  but  the 
boys  laughed  as  they  set  their  nimble  brown 
feet  as  he  directed,  and  waited,  alert  and 
ready,  for  the  arrival  of  the  shepherds,  who 
were  drawing  near  from  the  different  quarters 
of  the  plain.  Swarthy  men  and  youths,  some 
dressed  in  rudely-constructed  garments  of  fur 
and  others  clothed  in  short  tunics  of  camel's 
hair;  but  all  fierce  and  eager  of  eye,  and  ap 
parently  ready  to  welcome  any  diversion  from 
the  monotony  of  their  occupation. 

The  boys  who  were  waiting  to  prove  their 


rHE   KISS 
OF   GLORr 


mettle  were  lithe  and  slender;  deep  of  chest 
and  fine  of  limb  as  the  Arabian  horses  that 
lived  in  the  black  tents  with  them  at  home, 
and  as  vigorous  as  the  sapling  palms  at  the 
edge  of  their  familiar  desert.  Their  dark  hair 
hung  to  their  shoulders  and  their  childish,  but 
spirited,  features  were  lighted  by  flashing 
black  eyes,  and  the  color,  brilliantly  red,  which 
flamed  in  their  cheeks.  They  were  much  alike 
in  face  and  form,  and  well  suited  for  a  con 
test  of  endurance  and  strength  such  as  they 
were  about  to  engage  in. 

"  We  waited  your  coming,"  said  Dan  to  the 
new  arrivals  ;  "  but  now  all  is  ready." 

"One!" 

The  slender  limbs  of  the  boys  steadied  ;  each 
drew  in  a  great  breath  that  lifted  his  chest  like 
a  dome. 

"Two!" 

The  lithe,  brown  forms  squatted  and,  chin 
forward,  chest  arched,  and  with  the  finger  tips 
of  each  hand  pressed  on  the  line  at  either  side, 
each  waited  the  final  : 

"Three!" 


CT'HE    KISS 

-L       OF    GLORT 


Then,  by  a  sudden  lifting  to  their  toes,  they 
made  a  spring  which  landed  them  well  on 
their  course  and  set  them  running  with  its 
impetus  toward  the  goal.  The  older  shep 
herds  stood  in  a  little  group,  following  with 
their  eyes  the  flying  figures.  Dan  and  the 
others  near  his  age  gave  vent  to  their  enthu 
siasm  in  loud  cries  of  encouragement. 

"Asher!    Asher!" 

"Gad!    Gad!" 

"  A  ram's  horn  trimmed  with  silver  to  the 
winner ! " 

"  The  best  lamb  of  the  flock  for  the  one 
who  gains  the  goal !  " 

Asher  looked  back,  confused  by  the  shout 
ing,  and  missed  a  step.  For  a  moment  he 
wavered  dizzily,  and  Gad  shot  on  like  an  ar 
row  from  its  bow.  The  watchers  took  sides 
and  shouted  mingled  cheers  and  jeers  after 
the  runners,  who  were  now  a  quarter  of  the 
way  down  the  course  with  Gad  steadily  gain 
ing. 

"On,  little  brother!" 

"Haste,  haste,  O  stumbler!"  were  the 
principal  cries. 


rHE   KISS 
OF    GLORT 


Dan  mounted  the  edge  of  the  cistern. 

"My  flock's  lord  on  Asher!"  he  cried. 
"  My  flock's  lord  against  any  other !  " 

But  the  boy  was  still  behind  Gad,  and  the 
goal  was  nearer.  Judah  said,  smilingly: 

"  If  you  would  part  with  the  sheep,  give  it 
to  the  lad  who  loses.  It  will  soothe  his  grief." 

But  Dan  was  determined  to  make  the 
wager. 

"  Asher,  Asher!  "  he  called  wildly.  "  My 
whole  flock  on  Asher !  "  A  shout  of  derision 
answered  him.  But  Judah's  glance  suddenly 
kindled. 

"  It  is  a  foolish  wager,"  he  said ;  "  but  I 
shall  profit  by  it.  Mine  against  yours  that 
Gad  keeps  the  advantage.  See,  Asher  limps 
and  drags  his  foot  wearily,  and  Gad  has 
slowed  his  pace  but  still  keeps  ahead." 

It  was  so.  As  they  entered  the  last  quarter 
of  the  course  the  boy  who  had  stumbled 
seemed  scarcely  able  to  run  at  all,  and  the 
other  slackened  his  speed  and  ran  but  a  yard 
or  so  in  advance  of  him  until  near  the  end. 
Then  those  who  waited  saw  Asher's  body 


CT'HE   KISS 

JL        OF   GLORr 


straighten  and  fairly  leap  in  the  air ;  his  limbs 
lose  their  lameness  and  move  as  though 
winged,  while  the  distance  between  the  two 
runners  closed  but  to  open  again,  with  the 
positions  reversed  and  Gad  in  the  rear.  He 
had  heard  the  oncoming  of  the  suddenly  swift 
feet,  but  before  he  could  realize  the  trick 
which  had  been  played  upon  him,  Asher  had 
passed  him  and  had  leaped  full  upon  the  stone 
which  marked  the  final  post. 

From  their  distance  the  shepherds  saw  the 
ruse,  and  greeted  it  with  cheers  and  laughter. 
And  as  the  boys  came  running  back  they  ran 
out  to  meet  them  half  way  and  carry  them  to 
the  fountain  on  their  shoulders.  All  but 
Judah,  who  stood  where  he  was  and  gazed 
after  them  moodily.  But  his  brow  cleared  as 
they  approached,  and  he  caught  Gad  in  his 
arms,  and  then,  stripping  him  of  his  tunic, 
plunged  him  in  the  pool,  where  he  swung  him 
back  and  forth  like  the  bronze  pendulum  of 
a  tall  clock,  and  threatened  to  duck  him  for 
losing  the  race  and  his  wager.  Reuben  per 
formed  a  similar  service  for  the  other  lad,,  and 


HE  KISS 
OF  GLORr 


then  the  two  were  laid  prone  on  the  brick 
coping  of  the  cistern  and  rubbed  with  coarse 
cloth  until  their  blood  tingled  under  the  pol 
ished,  ruddy  skin  and  every  muscle  had  the 
resistance  of  iron. 

Dan's  gaming  fever  had  ended  with  the 
contest,  and  he  went  over  and  stood  beside 
Judah. 

"  I  will  not  take  the  flock,  brother/'  he  said. 
"  One  leads  me  too  far,  and  I  have  no  fancy 
for  looking  after  another.  But  was  not  the 
lad  wary?  Father  will  laugh  when  we  take 
the  news  back  to  the  tents." 

Judah  frowned  until  his  black  brows  met, 
and  answered  gruffly: 

"  You  will  take  the  flock.  It  is  yours.  Had 
I  won  the  foolish  bet,  I  should  have  taken 
every  hoof  and  fleece  and  horn  from  your 
fold.  I  am  a  just  man,  and  as  I  take  I  yield." 

Dan,  who  was  young  and  generous  and 
merry,  tried  to  persuade  him,  but  without  suc 
cess  ;  so  he  walked  away,  and  was  soon  wrest 
ling  with  Naphtali  and  trying  games  of 
strength  and  agility  with  a  number  of  the 


KISS 

OF    GLORT 


others,  two  of  whom  sat  down  on  the  ground, 
back  to  back,  and,  passing  the  elbows  of  the 
opposite  arms,  the  right  of  one  within  the  left 
of  the  other,  endeavored  to  rise  without 
touching  the  earth  with  the  disengaged 
hand.  As  one  wrould  try  to  rise  the  other 
.would  keep  him  down,  and  time  after  time 
they  rolled  over  on  the  sands  together.  The 
feat  is  a  difficult  one,  and  it  was  only  after  re 
peated  trials  that  Simeon  struggled  into  an 
upright  position  and  received  the  cheers  of 
the  spectators. 

Dan,  who  had  sent  one  of  his  herdsmen  for 
the  lamb,  now  called  Asher  up  to  receive  it. 
It  was  a  pretty  creature,  milk  white  and 
gentle,  and  around  its  neck  tinkled  a  string 
of  bells,  made  out  of  beaten  gold  and  having 
slender  tongues  of  jasper.  The  tones  pro 
duced  by  these  lily-shaped  instruments  were 
soft  and  musical  in  the  extreme;  and  as  the 
lamb  nestled  in  the  arms  of  its  new  master 
every  movement  was  accompanied  with  mel 
ody.  Reuben  brought  his  promised  prize 
after  the  lamb  had  been  presented.  It  was 


HE    KISS 
OF    GLORT 


as  the  boys  had  anticipated,  a  ram's  horn. 
But  it  was  one  of  peculiar  shape,  ornately 
carved  and  decorated  with  blue  and  scarlet 
stones  and  inlaid  with  ivory  and  silver.  Asher 
put  it  to  his  lips  and  blew  a  blast  so  ringing 
and  clear  that  the  little  hills  sent  back  their 
answering  echoes. 

"  A  brave  old  ram  once  wore  it,"  said  Reu 
ben,  as  they  all  sat  down  on  the  ground  below 
Judah,  who  still  kept  his  elevated  place  on 
the  coping  of  the  well.  "  One  night  in  the 
valley  of  Shechem  the  wolves  crept  into  the 
fold,  and  would  have  destroyed  the  whole 
flock  had  not  this  warrior  made  battle.  He 
died,  it  is  true,  but  he  delayed  the  feast  until 
I  and  my  herders  reached  the  scene  and  drove 
off  the  pack  with  our  fires.  I  have  the  other 
part  of  his  crown  still,  and  I  shall  polish  and 
trim  it  and  give  it  a  sweet  sound  for  the  next 
winner  of  a  race. 

He  glanced  at  Gad,  smilingly;  but  just  then 
Judah's  voice  fell  upon  them. 

"  Look,"  he  said;  "  here  conies  the  Dream 
er." 


CHAPTER  II 

The  Dreamer 

A  DEEP  silence  fell  upon  the  little  com 
pany,  and  every  eye  was  turned  in 
the  direction  of  the  low  hill  to  the 
south,  from  the  summit  of  which  a  boy  was 
descending  with  long  leaps  and  every  appear 
ance  of  eager  haste.  He  was  apparently  about 
the  age  of  the  two  who  had  contested  in  the 
foot  race ;  but  he  was  fair  of  skin  and  his  hair 
glistened  in  the  light  which  also  brought  out 
the  rich  colors  and  threads  of  gold  and  silver 
of  the  embroidery  which  edged  his  tunic. 

The  faces  of  the  watchers,  before  animated 
by  good-will  and  the  spirit  of  the  games,  be 
came  sullen  and  lowering.  Even  Dan's  merry 
features  grew  morose,  and  he  called  to  Asher, 
who  still  cuddled  his  lamb  in  his  arms : 

"  Hide  your  pet  or  yonder  prince  may  claim 
it  as  a  tribute  when  he  deigns  to  visit  us." 

"  Yes,"  said  Naphtali,  "  and  the  ram's  horn, 


E  KISS 
OF  GLORT 


too.  He  will  need  a  trumpet  to  proclaim  how 
our  father  has  set  him  up  above  the  rest  of 
us." 

"  Why  are  we  sitting  here  at  our  ease  while 
he  is  approaching  ?"  said  Simeon.  "  We  must 
be  ready  to  bow  at  his  feet."  , 

Their  tones  were  becoming  more  angry 
with  every  word  uttered;  and  under  their 
black  brows  their  eyes  flashed  hate.  Reuben, 
who  had  taken  no  part  in  the  mutterings,  now 
interposed. 

"  The  boy  has  done  no  harm,"  he  said.  "  I 
am  the  oldest,  and  if  he  has  taken  any  one's 
place,  it  is  mine  ;  but  I  have  no  anger  against 
him.  Let  us  leave  him  alone." 

"  He  is  a  tale-bearer,"  said  Levi,  "  and  all 
our  quarrelings  get  to  father's  ears  through 
him.  More  than  that,  while  we  sleep  on  the 
ground  he  dreams  on  silken  cushions  that  he 
is  a  star  to  whom  eleven  meaner  stars  give 
their  homage;  and  that  around  his  sheaf  of 
wheat  in  the  harvest  field  eleven  others  pros 
trate  themselves.  A-ah  !  " 

A  deep  and  angry  murmur  answered  this 
speech,  and  Levi  continued  : 


IE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


"  We  can  read  his  dreams  for  him  and  see 
that  he  has  no  more.  Look,  he  comes  in  his 
jewelled  coat  that  shows  his  lordship  over  us. 
If  we  let  him  go  back,  he  will  carry  more  news 
of  us  to  our  father,  who  will  take  away  all  we 
have." 

The  brothers  were  now  roused  to  rage,  and 
Reuben  had  only  time  to  speak  sternly  to 
them  when  Joseph  bounded  joyfully  up  and 
stood  before  them. 

"  Oh,  Reuben,  Judah,  Levi,  all,  I  am  so 
glad  that  I  have  found  you ! "  he  cried. 
"  Father  sent  me  to  see  if  you  were  well,  and 
I  have  had  a  merry  search.  I  hunted  every 
pasture  in  Shechem  and  then  a  man  told  me  he 
had  seen  some  noble  shepherds  driving  their 
flocks  northward,  and  I  started  after.  Though 
little  did  I  think  that  you  had  come  so  far.  I 
ran  up  the  little  hills  but  to  run  down  them 
again,  and  seemed  to  get  no  farther  on  my 
way.  A  merchant  returning  from  the  city 
with  an  unladen  camel  let  me  ride,  but  I  was 
ever  a  poor  sailor  on  the  desert  ship.  With 
every  stride  the  great  beast  made  I  lurched 


rHE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


and  reeled,  until  —  What  is  it,  brothers? 
Have  you  had  some  accident?  You  look  at 
me  so  strangely.  Are  you  ill?  " 

The  boy  had  stopped  in  the  midst  of  his 
speech  to  gaze,  astonished,  into  the  scowling 
faces  before  him.  Something  he  saw  there 
made  him  step  back  a  few  paces  and  press  his 
hand  to  his  heart.  Judah  stepped  down  from 
the  coping  and  walked  toward  him. 

"  You  need  not  have  taken  so  long  a  jour 
ney  for  us,  Your  Mightiness  !  "  he  said. 

Joseph  heard  the  sneer  in  his  tones  without 
understanding  it. 

"  I  —  I  —  "  he  begun,  and  stopped,  for  Levi's 
fierce  hand  was  upon  him. 

"  We  want  nothing  from  you,  great  prince, 
but  this  :  "  He  seized  the  gorgeous  garment 
in  his  grasp,  and  with  one  strong  pull  ripped 
the  seams  and  tore  it  from  his  shoulder. 

Joseph  gave  a  cry  and  wrenched  his  arm 
from  the  cruel  fingers.  Then  his  eyes  swept 
the  grim  faces  around  him  for  a  gleam  of  pity. 
Swept  them  once  and  again,  and  returned  to 
rest  on  Reuben's.  Then  he  straightened  his 


CT'HE   KISS 

J-       OF    GLORT 


young  shoulders  and  stood  before  them  pale, 
but  brave  and  indignant, 

"  I  see  that  you  mean  harm'  to  me,"  he  said  ; 
"  and  I  am  only  a  boy  against  you  all.  But  I 
am  not  a  coward.  I  can  die  if  I  must.  Which 
one  of  you  will  take  the  news  to  my  father, 
who  waits  in  the  door  of  his  tent  for  me 
now?" 

"  Hear  the  braggart  !  His  father  !  "  cried 
Naphtali.  "  Is  he  not  ours  also?  " 

"  Yes,  and  he  loves  you.  Would  he  have 
sent  me,  else,  to  inquire  if  you  needed  any 
thing,  or  were  in  danger  of  the  wild  beasts, 
or  had  met  misfortune  with  the  flocks?  Is  it 
my  fault  that  I  am  Rachel's  son  and  that  he 
sees  her  face  in  mine  and  loves  her  in  me  ?  " 

Joseph's  voice  trembled  as  he  spoke  of  his 
dead  mother.  But  the  shepherds  had  gone 
too  far  in  their  rage  to  be  moved  to  any  com 
passion.  His  reference  to  Rachel  only  filled 
their  hearts  with  more  resentment.  Judah, 
with  a  sudden  flaming  of  his  temper,  caught 
him  roughly  by  the  arms  and  bound  his  hands 
behind  him  with  a  short  thong  of  sheepskin. 


rHE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


But  when  Levi  drew  his  knife  from  his  girdle 
and  sprang  upon  him,  it  was  Judah  who  held 
him  back. 

"  We  will  not  kill  him,"  he  said.  "  For, 
after  all,  the  lad  is  our  brother.  We  will  leave 
him  here  in  one  of  these  caverns  in  the  rock. 
A  kid  fell  in  one  but  this  morning  and  was 
killed.  I  went  down  after  it  on  a  ladder  of  ox 
hide  and  found  the  well  shaped  like  a  bottle — 
broad  at  the  base  and  narrow  at  the  top,  with 
sides  as  smooth  as  the  face  of  Cheops.  We 
will  leave  him  there;  he  will  be  long  in 
returning." 

Reuben,  who  had  been  standing  close  at 
hand,  now  spoke  eagerly : 

"  The  thought  is  a  good  one.  I,  myself, 
will  put  him  in  the  pit." 

He  unwound  a  rope  of  braided  camel's  hair 
from  his  waist  and  put  one  end  about  the  boy's 
shoulders  and  another  around  his  knees. 
Then,  as  he  caught  the  reproachful  wonder  in 
Joseph's  eyes,  he  bent  over  to  whisper : 

"  This  is  to  save  you,  boy.  When  they  are 
gone,  then  will  I  return  and  lift  you  out" 


'HE  KISS 
OF   GLORT 


And  as  he  tied  the  ropes  he  loosened  the 
thongs  that  bound  Joseph's  hands  together. 
"  Come,"  he  said,  aloud  and  roughly.  And 
with  tremendous  strength  swung  the  slender 
figure  to  his  shoulders. 

Levi  leaped  forward.  There  was  in  his 
movements  the  lightness  and  ferocity  of  a 
panther. 

"  Give  the  ropes  to  me,"  he  urged.  "  I  can 
drop  a  star  into  a  well  and  the  heavens  will  not 
know  that  one  is  missing." 

Reuben  felt  the  quiver  of  the  burden  on  his 
shoulders,  but  he  answered  lightly: 

"  I  have  the  ends  around  my  wrists,  and  will 
fling  him  to  the  bottom  like  a  minnow." 

And  he  strode  hurriedly  over  the  plain  to 
the  place  that  Judah  had  pointed  out. 

The  cave,  which  was  simply  a  rock-hewn 
cistern  now  dry  for  the  lack  of  rain,  had  a 
circular  opening  about  three  feet  in  diameter, 
around  which  the  men  were  gathered  when 
Reuben  arrived.  The  latter  lifted  Joseph  from 
his  shoulders  and  saw  with  relief  that  he  had 
fainted.  So,  with  a  great  show  of  careless 


rHE   KISS  orrf 

OF   GLORT  JO 

haste — but  in  reality  with  the  utmost  caution 
and  gentleness — he  lowered  his  unconscious 
charge  into  the  pit  and  returned  with  the 
others  to  the  fountain. 

The  embroidered  tunic  which  Jacob  had  so 
unwisely  given  to  Joseph  lay  in  a  heap  on  the 
ground,  where  it  had  fallen  when  Levi  had 
torn  it  from  him.  Its  bright  jewels  glistened 
in  the  sunlight,  and  Judah  picked  it  up 
thoughtfully.  Something  stirred  in  his  heart 
at  the  sight  of  it  that  was  not  all  envy  or  hate. 
He  glanced  at  his  brothers.  There  were  no 
smiles  of  innocent  gayety  on  their  faces  now. 
Their  features  were  pale  with  fear. 

Reuben  sat  apart  from  the  others,  and  now 
and  then  he  turned  a  listening  look  in  the  di 
rection  of  the  cave.  Asher  and  Gad  had  wan 
dered  away,  oppressed  and  troubled  by  the 
scene  they  had  witnessed,  but  now  the  latter 
came  running  and  calling  loudly : 

"  My  lamb  has  gone  down  into  the  ravine 
and  I  cannot  find  it."  And  Reuben  started 
up  and  ran  toward  them  with  all  possible 
speed.  As  he  met  them,  they  tried  to  explain 
how  the  little  creature  had  slipped  away. 


rHE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


"  I  knew  he  wanted  to  try  his  little  legs," 
said  Gad,  with  the  sympathy  of  a  runner,  "  and 
so  I  told  Asher  to  let  him  down." 

"  Yes,"  said  the  latter,  "  and  he  had  rested 
in  my  arms,  nestling  as  though  he  liked  it. 
But  as  soon  as  I  put  him  on  the  ground  he 
was  off  and  away  like  the  wind,  with  all  those 
little  bells  laughing." 

"  We  followed  the  sound  for  a  while,"  added 
Gad;  "  but  after  it  had  led  us  away  down  be 
tween  the  hills  it  suddenly  stopped,  and  al 
though  we  have  looked  all  around  we  cannot 
find  the  lamb." 

Reuben  put  his  hand  to  his  mouth  and  imi 
tated  the  call  of  the  ewe. 

Then  they  listened.  But  no  little  wanderer 
made  answer. 

They  ran  down  the  step  declivity  of  the  hill 
that  shut  them  off  from  the  group  around  the 
fountain  and  leaped  from  rock  to  rock  in 
their  search  for  the  strayling.  Now  and  then 
their  trained  ears  caught  the  far-off  tinkle  of 
the  golden  bells,  and  then  they  would  stop 
long  enough  to  send  an  entreating  "  Ba-a-a  " 


E   KISS 

OF   GLORT 


in  the  direction  of  the  sound.  But  it  was  not 
until  they  had  almost  given  up  the  hunt  that 
a  cheerful  "  Ma-a-a  "  sounded  from  below 
them,  and  they  looked  down  to  see  the  lamb 
lying  contentedly  on  a  green  and  flowery 
bank,  resting  after  its  mischievous  scamper. 
When  Asher  took  it  up  in  his  arms  again, 
however,  it  submitted  like  a  philosopher,  and 
soon  laid  a  repentant  head  on  his  shoulder. 

When  the  three  returned,  the  Land  of  Turn, 
as  the  Arabs  called  the  west  at  sunset,  was 
red  with  the  glory  of  the  departing  day.  To 
ward  the  north  the  sky  was  palely  violet  and 
set  with  one  strange,  brilliant,  silver  star. 

As  they  approached  the  fountain,  they  saw 
that  the  shepherds  were  still  beside  it,  but 
moving  in  excited  groups  and  talking  with 
many  gestures.  Reuben's  face  paled  as  he 
looked  at  them,  and  he  said  to  the  boys: 

"  Run  on  ahead  and  tell  our  brothers  what 
a  chase  the  lamb  led  us.  I  will  join  you  at 
the  fountain,  and  then  we  will  make  ready  to 
go  into  camp  where  the  flocks  are  grazing  on 
the  other  side  of  the  valley." 


'HE   KISS 
OF  GLORT 


The  two  ran  onward  as  he  haJ  directed. 
And,  with  a  sickening  dread  at  his  heart, 
Reuben  struck  off  toward  the  bottle-shaped 
cistern.  He  intended  to  release  Joseph  when 
the  camp  had  been  pitched  at  a  distance  for 
the  night.  For,  although  the  greatest  suf 
ferer  because  of  the  favor  his  father  had  trans 
ferred  to  the  younger  son,  Reuben  loved  the 
boy  and  wished  to  restore  him  safely  to  the 
old  man  at  Hebron.  He  pictured  to  himself 
the  awful  sorrow  of  Jacob  if  any  ill  came  to 
Joseph,  and  as  the  sudden  fear  that  something 
had  occurred  in  his  absence  came  to  him,  he 
broke  into  a  swift  run,  which  brought  him  in 
a  few  moments  to  the  place.  Once  there,  he 
knelt  and  bent  over  the  grassy  rim. 

"  Joseph,"  he  called  softly.     "  Joseph." 

There  was  no  answer. 

"  Joseph,"  he  cried  again,  a  note  of  his 
anxiety  in  his  tone,  "  be  not  afraid.  It  is  I, 
Reuben." 

He  leaned  over,  peering  through  the  dark 
ness,  for  the  swift  Orient  night  was  almost 
upon  him,  and  tried  to  discern  the  boy's 
figure. 


rHE    KISS 
OF   GLORT 


"  Be  not  afraid,  little  brother ;  it  is  I,  Reu 
ben." 

Still  no  reply. 

And  now,  with  eyes  somewhat  accustomed 
to  the  gloom,  he  leaned  still  farther  into  the 
cave.  The  rock  walls  glistened  around  as 
he  peered  to  the  uttermost  sides.  Then  he 
sprang  up  with  a  cry. 

Joseph  was  gone! 


CHAPTER   III 

Caravans  of  draby 

DOTHAN  is  on  the  caravan  road  from 
Damascus  to  Egypt;  and  its  two 
wells   supplied   the   water-skins   of 
travellers,  who,  coming  from  the  far  East,  had 
yet  to  cross  a  tawny  triangle  of  Philistia  be 
fore  they  reached  the  Nile. 

After  Reuben  and  the  younger  boys  had 
gone  away  in  search  of  the  lamb,  Judah,  who 
had  been  sitting  with  his  head  bent  over  on 
his  breast,  heard  Dan  spring  to  his  feet  with 
an  exclamation,  and  looked  up  to  see  a  num 
ber  of  camels  winding  out  of  the  narrow  ra 
vine  which  led  through  steep  walls  of  rock 
from  the  Arabian  plateau  to  the  plains  of  rich 
pasture  within  the  amphitheatre  of  the  hills. 

For  a  time  a  cloud  of  dust  raised  by  the 
padded  feet  of  the  animals  partially  obscured 
them;  but  as  they  drew  nearer  their  brilliant 
trappings  and  the  white  turbans  of  the  men 
who  rode  high  on  the  laden  packs,  proved  the 


r 


HE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


cavalcade  to  be  Bedouin  traders,  dealing  not 
only  in  spices  and  various  balms  and  per 
fumery,  but  in  cloths  of  gold  and  silver  and 
matchless  silks  woven  in  the  countless  looms 
of  Arabia  and  colored  by  means  of  murex 
shells  in  Tyre. 

As  they  came  within  hailing  distance  the 
shepherds  shouted  greetings,  which  were  an 
swered  by  the  Arabs  lifting  both  hands  to 
their  foreheads  with  finger  tips  touching  fin 
ger  tips.  And  the  brothers  hospitably  ran  out 
to  grasp  the  camels  by  their  mouth-straps  and 
lead  them  to  the  cistern.  Then,  as  the  beasts 
knelt  and  thrust  their  long  necks  over  the  low 
coping  to  reach  the  water,  the  men  dis 
mounted  and  straightened  their  cramped 
limbs  with  every  evidence  of  relief.  While 
Nubian  slaves,  who  had  now  arrived  on  camels 
laden  with  folded  tents  and  supplies  for  the 
bivouac,  made  haste  to  remove  the  flowing  red 
and  yellow  garments  of  their  masters  and,  thus 
denuded,  sponge  them  with  the  refreshing 
waters  from  the  fountain.  They  were  majestic 
figures  as  they  stood  there.  Tall  and  lithe, 


CT'HE 

JL     OF  GLORT 


with  the  muscles  showing  hard  and  firm  in 
their  limbs;  but  their  faces  were  fierce  and 
keen,  and  betrayed  little  pleasure  in  the  meet 
ing  with  the  shepherds,  who  had  retired  to  a 
distance,  waiting  for  the  travellers  to  advance 
with  the  customary  introductions. 

At  last,  when  their  robes  were  replaced  and 
they  had  consulted  briefly  among  themselves, 
their  leader  walked  toward  the  brothers. 

"  We  are  sons  of  Ishmael,"  he  said,  "  and 
our  camels'  packs  are  filled  with  merchandise 
for  Egypt." 

Judah  bent  forward  in  salutation. 

"  The  sons  of  Jacob  give  you  greeting,"  he 
answered,  "  and  pray  to  add  to  that  refresh 
ment." 

But  the  chief  responded  haughtily: 

"  Neither  greeting  or  refreshment  will  the 
desert  wanderers  take  from  you  or  your 
father.  If  you  have  anything  you  wish  to  sell 
or  barter  we  will  take  it,  and  cheat  you  if  we 
can.  Come,  you  have  warning.  Now,  have 
you  ivory  for  the  king's  pillars  or  slaves  for  his 
household?" 


rHE   KISS 
OF    GLORT 


He  spoke  mockingly,  and  Judah  was  about 
to  answer  him  in  the  same  strain,  when  the  last 
sentence  caught  his  attention.  The  thought 
of  leaving  Joseph  to  the  wild  beasts  had  be 
come  intolerable  to  him,  and  he  grasped  at 
a  more  merciful  idea  eagerly.  So,  without 
heeding  the  insolent  looks  of  the  traders,  he 
turned  to  his  brothers. 

"  Let  us  sell  the  boy,"  he  cried  sharply,  with 
the  manner  of  one  who  suddenly  finds  a  way 
out  of  a  direful  situation;  and  the  others 
agreed  immediately,  with  the  exception  of 
Levi. 

"  How  do  we  know  that  he  will  not  escape 
and  return  ?  "  he  asked  moodily,  and  with  sus 
picious  glances  toward  his  brothers.  "  What 
should  we  have  then  to  say  to  our  father  ?  " 

But  Dan  interposed  harshly :  "  I  will  not 
leave  him  here  for  the  panthers.  Sell  him 
to  these  men  and  I  will  hold  my  peace.  But 
if  any  greater  harm  befalls  him,  I  will  go  to 
our  father  myself  and  say:  The  murderers  of 
Rachel's  son  are  come  to  claim  your  blessing." 

Dan  spoke  with  passion  and  threw  out  both 


CT'HE   KISS 

JL        OF   GLORT 


arms  with  a  gesture  of  contempt  and  loathing 
for  himself  and  the  others,  and  then  walked 
toward  the  group  of  merchantmen,  who  had 
turned  away  indifferently  and  were  now  eating 
their  evening  meal  of  dried  meat  and  candied 
fruit  and  drinking  from  curious  cups  of  beaten 
silver  a  liquor  made  from  the  fermented  sap 
of  the  cactus  plant. 

Dan  waited  until  they  had  finished  their 
repast  and  the  water-bowls  had  been  passed  by 
the  slaves  for  the  cleansing  of  their  beards  and 
hands,  then  he  approached  the  leader. 

"  If  you  bought  a  slave  would  he  be  harshly 
dealt  with  ?  "  he  asked. 

The  Ishmaelite  shrugged  his  shoulders,  but 
made  no  reply,  for  just  then  Judah  and  Levi 
came  up  with  Joseph  between  them,  and  the 
traders'  practised  eyes  were  surveying  the 
young  figure  with  interest.  And  the  lad 
made  no  complaint  as  the  man  sharply  or 
dered  him  to  bend  his  arm  that  he  might  feel 
the  muscles  rise  under  the  tender  flesh. 

When  he  had  come  out  of  his  faint,  he  had 
lain  for  a  while  sobbing  with  terror  in  the  dark 


HE   KISS 
OF  GLORr 


cavern.  He  knew  the  temper  of  the  wild, 
rough  men,  and  had  little  hope  of  mercy 
from  any  of  them.  Yet  Reuben's  manner  had 
been  reassuring,  and,  remembering  it,  the  boy 
regained  his  courage  and  waited  his  fate  with 
out  a  cry  that  might  reach  his  brothers  beside 
the  fountain.  Slowly  the  hours  dragged 
along,  and  at  last  he  looked  up  to  see  Levi's 
cruel  face  bending  over  him.  His  heart  gave 
a  throb  of  alarm,  but  he  controlled  himself, 
and  obeyed  the  sharp  commands  to  take  the 
ropes  and  allow  himself  to  be  lifted  to  the  sur 
face  of  the  ground.  Judah's  presence  con 
vinced  him  that  there  would  be  no  dropping 
of  the  lines  this  time,  and  when  they  had  at  last 
drawn  him  up  into  the  warm  outer  air  he 
stood  before  them  quietly,  ready  to  meet 
death  without  a  cry.  But  when  he  saw  the 
traders,  and  gathered  from  a  few  hurried 
words  from  Judah  that  he  was  to  be  saved 
from  the  panthers  only  to  be  sold  as  a  slave, 
his  heart  failed,  and  he  looked  wildly  around 
for  Reuben.  The  eldest  brother  was  chasing 
the  lamb  through  the  farther  ravine  at  that 


46 


rHE   KISS 
OF  GLORT 


time,  and  Joseph  finding  him  absent  knew 
that  his  fate  was  sealed.  He  was  only  a  boy, 
and  he  cried  in  shame  and  agony  as  he  saw 
the  leader  count  out  the  silver  into  Levi's 
palm  and  then  motion  to  the  Nubians  to  take 
him  away.  But  he  looked  back  toward  the 
brothers  as  he  went  to  the  waiting  camels. 

"  Remember  my  dreams,"  he  cried,  a  brave 
taunt  in  his  ringing  voice.  "  Around  my  sheaf 
eleven  others  bowed,  and  my  star  was  lord  of 
the  sky.  I  shall  not  always  be  a  slave." 

The  Nubians  threw  him  on  the  camel's  back 
and  bound  him  to  the  high  pommel  of  the  sad 
dle,  harshly  bidding  him  keep  silence.  The 
great  beast  rose  to  its  fore  knees,  swinging 
him  backward;  and  then  to  its  rear  quarters 
suddenly,  throwing  him  abruptly  in  the  oppo 
site  direction;  another  violent  movement  re 
stored  the  camel  to  its  fore  feet,  where  it 
waited  the  hoarse  signal  to  start.  The  traders 
had  all  mounted.  Seizing  their  beasts  by  the 
manes  and  throwing  their  right  legs  over  the 
saddles  with  incredible  quickness  and  agility, 


rHE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


and  retaining  a  firm  hold  on  the  forward 
elevation  during  the  rising  process.  Joseph, 
being  bound  and  unable  to  steady  himself,  felt 
a  spasm  of  nausea,  and  he  closed  his  eyes  and 
sat  silent  while  the  caravan  moved  away 
from  the  wells  and  out  into  the  main  highway 
southward. 

The  brothers  stood  watching  while  the  little 
band  rode  rapidly  away ;  no  one  spoke  a  word 
until  the  hills  had  hidden  the  travellers  from 
sight.  Then  Judah  again  took  up  the  little 
jewelled  coat  and  walked  away  with  it  toward 
the  other  side  of  the  valley.  Dan  rose,  shak 
ing  his  mantle  from  his  shoulders  and  letting 
it  fall  on  the  sand. 

"  Who's  for  a  foot  race?  "  he  cried.  But 
no  one  made  a  motion  to  join  him. 

"  Come,  Naphtali,"  he  cried,  in  nervous  in- 
sistance,  "  I  wager  we  can  start  here  with  our 
toes  on  the  line  I.made  for  the  little  runners 
this  morning  and  I  will  reach  the  flock  across 
the  valley  as  far  ahead  of  you  as  that  palm's 
plume  is  high  above  the  ground." 


48  T 


'HE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


Naphtali  sprang  up  beside  him. 

"  Then  we  must  start  now,"  he  said,  good- 
naturedly,  "  or  your  strength  will  all  be  spent 
in  boasting." 

They  took  their  places,  and  the  low  sun 
stretched  their  distorted  shadows  before  them 
on  the  grass.  Then  Naphtali  turned  back  to 
say  to  the  others : 

"  Make  your  bets  as  you  will,  but  I  shall 
not  only  reach  the  fold  first,  but  I  shall  leap 
over,  without  touching,  the  first  group  of  six 
grown  sheep  that  I  find  side  by  side." 

"  And  if  he  does  not  find  six  standing  as  he 
wishes,  he  will  still  be  known  all  through  the 
land  of  Canaan  as  the  man  who  could  have 
made  a  mighty  jump  had  he  but  tried."  Dan 
fastened  the  thong  of  his  sandal  while  he 
spoke,  and  Naphtali  joined  in  the  laughter 
which  greeted  the  sally.  But  as  they  were 
about  to  make  ready  for  the  start  they  saw  the 
boys,  Gad  and  Asher,  running  up  with  the 
lamb,  and  Judah  coming  swiftly  toward  them 
with  something  in  his  hands,  which  he  held 
away  from  his  sight  as  though  in  strong  aver- 


rHE   KISS 
OF    GLORT 


sion.  Wondering  they  looked.  And  as  he 
came  nearer  they  saw  the  coat  of  many  colors 
had  been  changed  into  one  hue,  and  that  was 
crimson.  They  pressed  toward  him,  and  he 
said: 

"  There  must  be  something  to  show  to 
Jacob  when  we  go  back  to  him  at  Hebron. 
Levi's  fingers  tore  this  as  fiercely  as  a  pan 
ther's  claws  would  have  done,  and  I  have 
dipped  it  in  blood — no  more  innocent  than 
the  boy's — from  a  lamb  of  my  flock.  It  is  all 
we  need  to  make  our  father  think  the  lad  is 
dead." 

He  spread  the  garment  out  before  them. 
Its  rubies  shone  but  dully  against  the  brighter 
crimson  of  the  stains.  Then  they  lifted  pale 
faces  to  see  Reuben  running  toward  them 
from  the  field. 

His  face,  usually  so  gravely  kind,  was  white 
with  a  great  rage,  and  he  flung  himself  upon 
them  furiously. 

"  Joseph !  "  he  cried,  his  voice  hoarse  with 
agony.  "  Where  is  Joseph  ?  Give  him  to  me, 

or  as  I  live  your  lives  shall  pay  for  his." 
4 


'HE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


For  a  moment  there  was  silence,  save  for 
the  deep  breathing  of  the  brothers  as  they 
cowered  like  sheep  in  an  awakened  lion's  path. 
Then  Reuben's  glance  fell  on  the  coat  in  Ju- 
dah's  hands. 


CHAPTER    IV 

A  Song  and  a   Choice 

A  SOUND  came  out  of  an  orchard  of 
palms. 
"  What  is  that  ?  "  asked  Joseph  of 
the  Nubian  whose  camel  strode  beside  his  own 
so  closely  that  their  padded  feet  fell  in  perfect 
unison  on  the  white  sand  of  the  highway.    The 
black  face  under  the  huge  striped  turban  was 
neither  harsh  nor  kind,  but  the  slave  answered : 

"  A  sound  like  that  may  be  the  wind  among 
the  trees.  It  may  be  the  bulbul  in  the  Valley 
of  Roses." 

The  boy  had  looked  at  the  impassive  profile 
of  his  guard  and  found  little  to  reassure  or 
comfort  him ;  but  as  he  spoke  there  was  a  note 
in  his  voice  which  ran  down  to  Joseph's  heart 
and  called  up  a  little  laugh.  It  was  on  his  lips 
when  he  answered : 

"  I  will  warrant  it  is  neither  the  wind  nor  the 
nightingale.  There  must  be  an  encampment 


52  T 


HE    KISS 
OF    GLORT 


somewhere  about  here,  for  I  am  certain  I 
heard " 

"  You  heard  Louimma,  the  daughter  of 
Aman,  the  Ishmaelite,  singing." 

Joseph  made  no  answer,  and  the  other  con 
tinued  : 

"  Aman  likes  not  to  be  hindered  by  the 
household  when  he  is  on  business,  and  as  he 
goes  now  for  a  season's  stay  in  Egypt  he  sent 
the  women  with  their  slaves  a  day's  journey 
ahead  of  the  caravan.  They  wait  him  here  at 
the  springs,  and  yonder  torches  show  the 
camp."  He  paused  a  moment,  and  then  con 
tinued  : 

"  The  sons  of  the  fugitive  Hagar  have  little 
love  for  the  other  children  of  Abraham,  but 
our  chief  is  a  just  man,  and  once  in  his  tents 
you  will  be  treated  kindly." 

Joseph  had  been  dazed  by  his  sudden  and 
unexpected  situation,  but  he  was  gallant  of 
spirit  and  too  much  of  a  boy  to  be  altogether 
dismayed.  Still  he  was  glad  of  the  friendli 
ness  conveyed  by  the  tone  of  the  Nubian,  and 
he  looked  at  him  gratefully ;  for  he  had  antici- 


'HE   KISS 
OF  GLORT 


pated  cruel  treatment  and  was  reminded  that 
the  Arab  law  of  hospitality  extended  even  to 
those  who  had  been  bought  for  slaves  as  long 
as  they  were  detained,  perforce,  within  the 
woven  walls.  His  heart  grew  lighter  at  the 
thought,  and  he  lifted  his  head  with  new  cour 
age  and  peered  into  the  purple  night  for  a 
glimpse  of  the  torches.  Two  gleamed,  no 
larger  than  fireflies,  far  back  from  the  road 
among  the  slender  columns  of  the  palms.  And 
through  the  star-lit  colonnade  between,  where 
tawny  tigers  sometimes  stalked  by  day,  came 
ever  sweeter  and  more  clear  a  young  girl's 
song. 

The  grotesque  shapes  of  the  camels  with 
their  riders,  formerly  blurred  somewhat  by 
the  distance,  loomed  larger  before  his  eyes  as 
they  slowed  their  pace.  He  heard  the  sharp 
"  Ai-i  "  of  the  men  who  led  the  way,  and  soon 
the  entire  company  turned  into  the  grove  and 
toward  the  now  visible  tents. 

While  softly  clear  above  the  rasping  chirr 
of  insects  and  the  heavy  breathing  of  the 
camels  the  words  of  the  song  floated  out  to 
them  as  though  on  light  and  shining  wings: 


54 


"  My  steed,  my  steed,  with  eyes  of  love  and 

nostrils  lined  with  fire, 
I  sing  thy  praise,  my  beautiful,  and  sound 

my  singing  lyre. 
.Thy  neck  is  like  the  crescent  moon,  thy 

mane  is  like  the  mist, 
And  whitely  shines  above  thy  brow  a  star 

that  I  have  kissed." 

The  Nubian  made  a  comprehensive  gesture. 

"  The  daughter  of  Ainan  loves  a  horse,"  he 
said ;  and  Joseph's  heart  leaped  and  grew  light, 
for  he  knew  that  between  him  and  the  ones 
who  held  his  fate  in  their  power  there  was  at 
least  one  bond  of  sympathy.  He,  too,  loved 
a  horse,  and  he  thought  with  a  rush  of  quick 
tears  of  his  own  Arabian  that  was,  perhaps, 
even  then  whinnying  for  him  at  the  tent  cur 
tains  at  Hebron.  Still  came  the  song : 

"  Thy  speed  is  swifter  than  the  Wind's,  upon 

the  hills  of  Day. 
No  sterner  rein  than  ribbons  light  upon  thy 

neck  I  lay. 
And  O,  thy  feet  that,  like  the  rain,  subdue 

the  desert  sand. 
And  O,  thy  strength  that  laughs  at  strength 

and  minds  a  maiden's  hand." 


HE   KISS 
OF  GLORT 


There  was  a  sudden  humming  twang  of  a 
broken  string  and  a  burst  of  laughter,  and  a 
higher,  shriller  voice  exclaiming  : 

"  Run,  Louimma,  little  one,  and  welcome 
your  father." 

Then  an  upright  wedge  of  light  showed 
where  the  curtains  had  been  drawn  aside  hur 
riedly  ;  and  in  this  triangle,  with  the  gorgeous 
interior  of  the  tent  for  a  background,  stood  a 
girl  with  her  face  turned  with  a  waiting  look 
toward  the  purple  darkness. 

The  camels  sank  to  their  knees  and 
crouched  until  their  huge  bodies  pressed  the 
ground,  and  in  a  moment  the  Arab  chief  had 
dismounted  and  hurried  to  his  daughter, 
clasping  her  in  his  arms. 

Joseph  saw  her  lay  a  little  hand  on  either 
side  of  the  dark  face  and  heard  her  question 
with  playful  sternness  : 

"  Did  you  bring  all  I  bade  you  from  the 
bazaars,  you  tardy  one?  Hanna  has  been 
chewing  rose  leaves  all  day  for  want  of  gum 
from  the  lentisk  tree,  and  mother  desires 
spices  for  the  dish  of  grapes  she  made  with 


56  T 


I  HE   KISS 
OF    GLORT 


her  own  hands  for  a  certain  hungry  traveller. 
And  did  you  remember  the  jasper-tipped 
spear,  and  the  stuff  for  the  white  camel's  trap 
pings " 

The  Arab  shook  back  his  head  and  laughed. 

"  Have  done  with  your  questions  and  let 
me  in.  I  will  tell  you  there." 

But  she  held  the  position,  barring  with  two 
round  arms  the  whole  entrance. 

"  That  will  I  not,"  she  said  stoutly,  "  until 
you  tell  me.  For  if  you  have  forgotten,  or 
like  a  bad  father  did  not  obey  all  my  com 
mands,  back  you  must  go  to  Damascus." 

He  caught  her  in  his  arms  and,  with  her 
laughter  running  like  a  chime  of  little  bells 
over  his  deeper-toned  merriment,  carried  her 
in,  and  the  curtains  fell  behind  them. 

By  this  time  a  number  of  slaves  had  come 
up  carrying  torches,  which  they  struck  into 
the  ground  here  and  there,  and  then  set  about 
unloading  the  camels  of  tent  equipments.  A 
space  not  far  distant  from  the  main  tent  occu 
pied  by  Aman's  family  had  been  prepared  for 
the  merchantmen  who  accompanied  him  on 


rHE   KISS  r>^ 

OF  GLORT  Dl 

the  present  enterprise,  and  lofty  young  cy 
presses  had  been  shorn  of  their  plumes  and 
made  ready  to  support  the  canvas  roof. 

Joseph's  camel  had  knelt  with  the  others 
and  settled  slowly  into  a  palpitating  heap  on 
the  earth.  But,  as  his  passenger  did  not  dis 
mount,  he  sent  an  inquiring  glance  backward, 
and  then  gave  a  mighty  shiver  that  would  cer 
tainly  have  dislodged  the  boy  had  he  not  been 
bound  on.  Twice  and  again  this  effort  was 
repeated,  and  then,  with  a  sigh  of  resignation, 
the  animal  subsided  into  sleep  with  his  long 
neck  and  ugly  head  stretched  flat  along  the 
sand.  The  Nubian  had  been  occupied  un 
loading  the  packs  and  carrying  them  into  the 
small  tents  which  adjoined  Aman's  pavilion. 
It  was  still  early  evening,  for  they  had  tra 
velled  southward  from  Dothan,  less  than  ten 
miles,  and  the  moon  was  just  beginning  to 
light  the  orchard.  Under  the  swift  and  ex 
perienced  hands  of  the  slaves  the  merchant's 
tent  rose  as  by  magic,  and  stood  a  black  patch 
in  the  silver  radiance.  Then  the  flaps  were 
held  back  by  the  aid  of  two  tall  javelins  while 


rHE   KISS 
OF    GLORT 


the  furnishing  went  on.  Skins,  soft  and  bril 
liant  in  texture  and  hue,  were  taken  from  the 
seemingly  inexhaustible  packs  and  laid  on  the 
pounded  earthen  floor.  The  walls,  coarsely 
woven  of  camel's  hair,  were  hung  with  cur 
tains,  and  couches  were  made  of  pillows 
heaped  on  the  carpet.  From  notches  cut  at 
intervals  in  the  cypress  columns  torches 
flamed,  and  even  from  that  distance  the  boy 
could  see  that  they  were  not  the  kind  used 
by  his  people — sticks  of  resinous  wood  that 
charred  and  smoked  as  it  burned.  This  light 
burned  steadily  with  a  blue  flame,  and  it  was 
produced  by  a  fluid  obtained  by  fermenting 
and  distilling  maize.  Little  cups  of  this  liquid 
were  set  in  the  upright  handles,  which  were 
made  of  ivory  ornately  carved  and  set  with 
many-colored  stones.  He  had  seen  a  similar 
light  in  a  great  urn  in  the  centre  of  the  chief's 
tent  during  the  interval  the  curtains  had  been 
unclosed,  and  now  he  suddenly  saw  it  again, 
for  Aman  was  standing  in  the  door  calling  to 
the  Nubian  : 

"  Zenock,   loose   the  boy  and   bring  him 


HE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


The  tall  black  figure  approached,  and  in  a 
moment  the  braided  ropes  were  falling  from 
Joseph's  wrists  and  ankles  and  he  swung  his 
left  leg  over  the  pommel  and  rose  and  stood 
on  the  ground. 

The  slave  held  out  a  bowl  of  clear  water 
and  a  snowy  linen  cloth,  and  when  Joseph  had 
washed  himself  and  straightened  as  best  he 
could  his  stained  and  torn  linen  under-tunic, 
which  formed  (since  Levi  had  taken  away  with 
such  black  violence  his  embroidered  coat)  his 
only  clothing,  he  followed  the  Nubian  to  the 
tent  and  entered  with  him.  Then  there  was 
a  slight  rustle  as  the  curtains  fell,  and  he  knew 
that  he  stood  in  the  presence  of  the  Ishmaelite 
alone.  He  straightened  his  lithe  form  and 
looked  up. 

The  glance  of  eagle  and  of  eaglet  met. 

The  flashing  eyes  of  the  chief  seemed  less 
fierce  now  that  the  overshadowing  turban  was 
removed,  and  a  smile  played  in  his  black 
beard  as  he  looked  at  the  lad.  When  he  spoke 
his  voice  was  grave,  but  neither  harsh  nor 
sneering. 


CT'HE    KISS 

J-        OF   GLORT 


"  Come  here  to  me,  boy,"  he  said,  and  Jo 
seph  walked  over  and  stood  before  him.  The 
keen  dark  eyes  of  the  Arab  lingered  on  the 
golden  tracings  on  the  hem  of  the  tunic  thus 
brought  so  near  to  them,  and  did  not  overlook 
the  fineness  of  the  garment  itself  or  fail  to  note 
the  beautiful  embroidery  on  the  doeskin  san 
dals  which  still  clung  —  albeit  in  tatters  —  to 
the  slender  feet. 

Joseph  repaid  his  scrutiny  with  level  glances 
that  were  not  bold  nor  yet  afraid,  and  stood 
waiting  for  his  questions.  They  came  at  last. 

"  I  and  my  caravan  came  from  Gilead  in  the 
east,"  he  said,  "  and  I  have  seen  all  there  was 
for  sale  in  fabrics  and  in  flesh  along  the  way  ; 
But  never  have  I,  until  this  day  at  Dothan, 
beheld  a  slave  like  you." 

A  wave  of  crimson  swept  over  Joseph's  face 
at  the  word,  but  he  made  no  reply.  The  Arab 
went  over  to  a  couch  and  threw  himself  back 
among  the  cushions.  He  took  a  tiny  dagger 
with  a  jewelled  hilt  from  his  sash  and  laid  it 
lengthwise  in  his  hand. 

"  Speak  and  tell  me,"  he  said,  regarding  it, 


CT'HE    KISS 

j|        OF   GLORT 


"  if  you  could  choose  a  weapon  for  your  great 
est  hurt,  would  you  take  this  or  that  sharp 
word  that  made  you  cringe  just  now?  " 

Joseph  hesitated  and  half  put  out  his  hand. 
The  quick  breaths  struggled  in  his  bosom. 
Then  he  lifted  his  head  and  answered  proudly  : 

"  I  will  take  the  word,  O  chief.  I  will  be 
a  slave  that  I  may  learn  to  wait  my  hour  of 
mastery." 

Aman  returned  the  span-long  dagger  to  its 
place. 

"  I  bought  you  at  the  fountain  Ain  el  Hufi- 
rah,"  he  said.  "  Twenty  pieces  of  silver  I 
dropped  into  the  hollow  palm  of  a  shepherd 
who  had  wished  you  dead.  Now  —  for  I  must 
grant  the  matter  seems  not  clear  to  me  —  what 
had  Jacob's  wrangling  sons  to  do  with  you?  " 

"  They  are  my  brothers,"  began  the  boy,  in 
answer;  but  to  his  surprise  the  Arab  inter 
rupted  passionately: 

"  Brothers,  say  you?  By  the  splendor  of 
the  King,  I  deemed  not  that  your  wrong 
struck  root  as  deep  as  this.  Nor  knew  I  that 


CTTHE   KISS 
±       OF 


the  Hebrew  decked  his  sons  to  catch  the  eye 
of  traders  in  the  mart  of  slaves." 

His  fierce  glance  roamed  over  the  lad's  fine 
garment  as  he  spoke.  But  before  Joseph 
could  frame  a  reply,  he  continued  in  a  tone 
in  which  bitterness  had  given  place  to  sorrow  : 

"  I,  too,  might  tell  of  wrongs  ;  for  I  am  of 
the  tribe  of  Ishmael;  and  I  might  speak  of 
deeper  griefs,  since  they  were  borne  by 
woman,  than  it  is  given  men  to  feel  —  even  of 
Hagar,  dying  in  the  waterless  desert,  with  a 
Hebrew  kiss  still  burning  on  her  lips." 

He  sprang  to  his  feet  and  paced  the  narrow 
confines  of  the  tent  under  stress  of  emotion. 
Then  he  came  back  and  resumed  his  place, 
saying  quietly: 

"  But  speak  and  tell  me  how  this  matter 
came  to  pass.  I  had  in  store  so  great  a  hate 
for  Jacob's  sons  it  almost  pleases  me  that  you 
have  fallen  in  my  power,  and  that  your  grief 
has  robbed  my  hands  of  violence." 

He  turned  with  a  soft  glance  toward  the  lad, 
and  Joseph  told  his  story  simply  to  the  end, 
dwelling  on  the  dreams  that  he  had  boasted  of 


HE   KISS 
OF    GLORT 


so  foolishly  and  speaking  of  his  father's  favor 
—  the  presentation  of  the  many-colored  coat  — 
and  his  brothers'  jealousy.  And  as  he  listened 
the  rage  of  the  desert  man  flamed  against 
Jacob.  He  sprang  up  once  more  and  lifted 
an  accusing  hand  toward  the  south. 

"  Weep  in  your  tents,  old  man  !  "  he  cried. 
"  Call  for  the  son  of  your  age  and  sleep  un 
answered.  You  who  deceived  your  father 
and  usurped  your  brother  are  by  your  sons 
left  desolate  and  betrayed  !  " 

Joseph  laid  his  hand  upon  his  arm. 

"  Stop  !  "  he  cried,  with  a  thrill  in  his  young- 
voice.  "  Say  nothing  evil  of  my  father.  He 
loves  me  well,  and  he  is  good." 

"  Peace,"  called  a  voice  from  the  adjoining 
pavilion  ;  "  all  fathers  are  good.  I  am  going 
to  feed  mine  now  with  meat  and  spiced  cher 
ries  and  cheeses." 

The  chief's  brow  lost  its  frown. 

"  Come  in,  Louimma,  little  one,"  he  called, 
and  a  slight  and  graceful  maiden  ran  between 
the  curtains  and  paused,  looking  at  Joseph 
with  frank  curiosity.  The  Arab  saw  her 


rHE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


glances  and  stepped  forward,  moved  by  a  sud 
den  friendly  impulse  toward  the  boy. 

"  Louimma,"  he  said  quietly,  "  this  is  your 
kinsman.  A  son  of  Abraham,  driven,  like 
our  father  Ishmael,  from  his  own.  Take  his 
hand  and  lead  him  to  our  table.  I  will  come." 


CHAPTER   V 

A  Son  of  a  Star 

ZENOCK  pushed  aside  the  tent  curtain 
and  a  rosy  shaft  of  morning  light 
parted  the  dusk  and  fell  on  the  boy, 
asleep  on  cushions  of  sweet  grass.  The  slave 
stood  a  moment  watching  him.  The  naked 
limbs  seemed  white  and  slim  against  the  crim 
son  drapery  of  the  couch,  but  under  the  satin 
smoothness  of  the  arms  that  wreathed  his 
head  great  muscles  moved  in  mutinous  unrest, 
and  the  deep  chest  told  of  endurance  and 
power.  The  black  man  nodded  to  his  own 
unspoken  thought  and  bent  to  touch  the  lad 
lightly  on  his  shoulder. 

Joseph  leaped  from  a  dream  and  shook  off 
the  hand  fiercely;  but  when  he  saw  the  face 
of  the  Nubian  above  him  he  smiled  into  it  con 
fusedly  and  murmured  that  he  had  been 
asleep. 

"  Ay,  and  dreaming  of  pits  and  panthers,  I 

5 


rHE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


warrant,"  responded  Zenock.  "  But  peace. 
I  have  come  not  to  eat  you,  but  to  bring  you 
meat.  There  is  a  little  spring  ten  spears' 
length  from  the  weeping  tree  where  last  your 
camel  knelt;  and  when  you  have  freshened 
your  spirit  at  the  bath  you  shall  strengthen 
your  body  with  food." 

He  threw  a  cloak  about  him  as  he  spoke, 
and  Joseph  ran  out  and  away  through  the 
trees  in  the  direction  indicated.  When  he 
came  back  a  few  moments  later,  shaking  his 
wet  hair  as  a  tawny  young  lion  shakes  his 
mane,  he  noticed  coming  from  the  north  a 
number  of  horsemen,  and  for  a  moment 
thought  that  his  brothers  had  been  driven 
either  by  fear  or  repentance  to  seek  him  out 
and  take  him  home  again.  But  a  closer  view 
showed  that  the  men  were  horse  traders,  for 
each  one  was  leading  or  driving  two  or  three 
unsaddled  steeds,  an  occupation  which  was 
evidently  giving  them  much  serious  trouble, 
as  the  untrained  animals  plunged  and  reared 
and  tried  to  get  away.  Joseph  had  a  sudden 
rush  of  pity  for  them  in  his  heart.  But  yes- 


HE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


terday  he  had  known  bonds.  He  walked  back 
thoughtfully,  and  Zenock  gave  him  his  tunic 
and  led  him  to  his  cushions,  where  the  meal 
awaited  him. 

There  was  young  lamb  broiled  over  coals  of 
resinous  wood  and  sprinkled  with  crushed 
millet  and  other  spices,  and  candied  fruits  so 
delicately  prepared  that  they  were  transparent 
and  caught  the  sunlight  like  jewels;  and  there 
were  white  beans  sprinkled  with  cinnamon. 
From  a  huge  skin  in  a  shady  corner  the  slave 
poured  a  cup  of  water  ;  it  gurgled  through  the 
narrow  mouth  noisily;  and  the  boy  ate  and 
drank  until  the  irregular  beat  of  horses'  feet 
without  told  him  that  the  traders  had  drawn 
near. 

He  went  out  and  saw  that  the  entire  front 
of  the  main  tent  had  been  lifted  on  tall  jave 
lins,  forming  a  wide  awning,  under  which 
Aman  and  his  wife  and  daughter  stood  watch 
ing  with  interest  the  approach  of  the  horses. 
Joseph  advanced  with  respectful  salutations, 
and  after  a  friendly  greeting  from  the  chief 
stopped  beside  him.  The  merchantmen  and 


/C  O  (THE   KISS 

UO  -L        OF    GLORT 

slaves  were  moving  toward  an  opening  in  the 
grove,  and  there,  as  they  came  abreast,  the 
newcomers  halted  and  were  soon  engaged  in 
disposing  of  their  herd.  One  after  another 
each  horse  was  separated  from  the  rest  and  led 
or  ridden  up  and  down  the  highway,  while  its 
voluble  owner  discoursed  upon  its  fine  points 
to  the  intending  purchaser.  Few  of  the  ani 
mals  had  been  broken  to  the  bridle,  for,  as  it  is 
well  known,  once  an  Arab  and  his  horse  have 
learned  to  meet  each  other's  eyes  there  can  be 
no  question  of  parting  between  them  save 
when  it  comes  by  death.  And  as  the  slaves  of 
the  merchants  tried  to  mount  they  were 
thrown  and  eluded  and  trodden  down  by  the 
frightened  and  rebellious  creatures  fresh  from 
their  silent  wadis  between  the  eastern  hills. 
Joseph  watched  the  struggle  with  an  interest 
made  clear  by  his  late  experience. 

"  My  friends  would  take  a  herd  of  the  desert 
horses  into  Egypt,"  said  Aman.  "  Pharaoh's 
stables  are  ever  open  for  the  best,  and  the 
others  soon  find  owners.  It  is  even  said  the 
king  has  built  a  palace  for  his  favorite  steed  as 


rHE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


high  as  the  third  pyramid,  and  it  is  hollowed 
from  a  single  block  of  green  stone." 

"  I  love  the  king  for  that,"  cried  Louimma, 
gayly.  "  He  pays  his  honors  well." 

An  old  sheik  presented  himself  at  the  en 
trance  of  the  pavilion  and  made  a  deep  salaam 
to  Aman.  Close  by  stood  a  black  horse  of 
remarkable  beauty,  and  a  spirit  which  had 
given  place  to  madness  on  account  of  the  in 
dignity  of  his  position — for  each  glossy,  slen 
der  leg  was  tied  by  a  rope  of  camel's  hair  and 
held  by  a  slave,  while  the  fifth  gigantic  Libyan 
humiliated  the  beautiful  neck  with  a  bridle. 
A  line  of  foam  on  the  horse's  sensitive  lips, 
and  the  wild  turning  of  the  great  bloodshot 
eyes  showed  the  agony  and  shame  he  suffered. 
But  the  sheik  had  business  with  Aman. 

"  Lord  of  the  Ishmaelites,"  he  said,  "  be 
hold  my  offering.  He  is  the  son  of  a  star,  and 
my  gardens  will  be  in  darkness  if  I  return  to 
them  without  him.  But  my  great  need  leads 
me  to  the  door  of  a  stranger." 

Aman's  practiced  eyes   caught  the  smile 


~n  cr*HE  KISS 

IU  JL       OF   GLORT 


under  the  old  man's  tangled  brows  and  he  en 
tered  into  the  spirit  of  the  trading. 

"  He  is  bridle  wise,  good  sheik?  "  he  asked 
gravely. 

"  Noble  chief,  a  child  might  guide  him." 

"  Do  you,  then,  who  are  not  a  child,  but  a 
man,  old  and  cunning,  show  us  something  of 
his  ways." 

The  trader  bowed  deeply. 

"  Said  I  not,  O  chief,  that  he  was  a  son  of 
a  star?  Shall  I  who  am  an  old  man,  as  you 
say,  weary  of  days  and  poor,  attempt  to  soar 
so  high?" 

Aman  laughed  and  pointed  to  the  slaves, 
whose  greatest  efforts  were  put  forth  to  hold 
the  straining  Arab. 

"  I  see,"  he  said,  "  it  takes  some  strength  to 
bind  your  star  to  earth.  Bid  one  of  your 
blacks  mount  him."' 

The  sheik  called  to  the  slave  at  the  bridle. 
He  dropped  it  stolidly  and  leaped  to  the 
horse's  back,  only  to  be  tossed  like  a  ball  and 
flung  ten  good  feet  away,  while  the  four  at  the 
ropes  reeled  and  fell  against  each  other. 


HE   KISS 
OF   GLQRT 


The  old  man  combed  his  beard  with  ner 
vous  fingers. 

"  How  now?"  asked  Aman,  smilingly. 
"  Have  you  any  in  your  company  fit  to  ride 
your  star?  " 

"  No,"  growled  the  trader.  "  A  lion  in  leash 
would  be  as  easily  conquered.  Many  horses 
have  learned  my  will,  but  this  one  has  a  tem 
pest  in  his  eyes  and  its  lightnings  in  his  nos 
trils.  Let  him  who  can  bring  him  to  the 
halter.  I  would  keep  whole  bones  to  lay  be 
side  my  fathers." 

He  gave  a  sharp  signal  to  the  slaves  to 
lead  the  horse  away,  but  Joseph  sprang  sud 
denly  forward  and  stood  before  Aman. 

"  Let  me  go  to  him,  O  chief,"  he  said 
eagerly.  "  I  have  felt  as  he  feels.  I  may  not 
conquer,  but  I  can  comfort  him." 

Aman  glanced  at  the  slender  youth  and 
shook  his  head  ;  but  Louimma  reached  up  and 
dented  his  dark  cheek  with  the  tip  of  her  little 
henna-stained  finger. 

"  Either  my  cousin  or  I,  my  father,"  she 
said.  "  That  steed  stays  in  the  tents  of 
Aman." 


Aman  looked  around  to  nod  consent;  but 
Joseph  had  heard  the  little  law-giver  and  had 
waited  for  no  more. 

The  horse  recoiled  when  the  boy  lifted  his 
hand;  but  he  did  not  spring,  as  they  had  all 
expected,  when  the  light  touch  fell  on  his 
arched  neck  and  travelled  gently  down  until  it 
found  and  pressed  the  great  nerve  between  the 
glossy  shoulders.  For  a  time  there  was  no 
effect,  then  the  tossing  head  turned  sharply 
around  toward  Joseph.  Louimma  gave  a 
shrill  cry,  and  the  chief  paled  at  the  thought 
of  seeing  those  terrible  teeth  close  upon  that 
young  shoulder.  But  the  eyes  that  had  not 
flinched  at  Ain  el  Hufireh  did  not  quail  as  the 
wondering,  distracted  orbs  of  a  frightened 
horse  met  them.  Instead,  they  gazed  steadily 
and  kindly  back ;  and  after  a  moment  the  boy 
raised  his  other  hand  and  laid  it  upon  the  soft 
muzzle  caressingly.  So  they  stood  for  a  little 
space  eye  to  eye,  and  then  Joseph  told  the 
slaves  to  go  away,  and  he  knelt  down  and  un 
fastened  the  ropes  that  bound  each  slender 
limb,  lifting,  as  he  did  so,  each  delicate  hoof 


HE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


to  let  it  rest  for  a  moment  in  his  palm.  The 
horse  remained  perfectly  still  while  its  hind 
feet  were  given  their  freedom,  watching  the 
operation  with  discerning  eyes.  But  when 
the  lad  came  to  the  fore  feet,  and  lifted  one 
after  the  other  gently  up  into  his  hand,  the 
beautiful,  pointed  head  bent  low  and  rested 
lovingly  upon  his  shoulder. 

The  group  at  the  tent  had  witnessed  all,  and 
now  the  trader  remembered  his  profession. 

"  Said  I  not  so,  O  chief  ?  "  he  cried,  rubbing 
his  hands  together.  "  Said  I  not  that  a  child 
could  conquer  him  ?  " 

But  Aman  handed  him  a  purse  without  a 
word  and  kept  his  glance  upon  Joseph. 

"  He  is  the  son  of  a  star,"  said  the  old  man, 
fearful  that  he  had  not  received  enough,  and 
yet  mindful  of  the  desert  etiquette  which 
forbade  him  to  count  it.  "  He  should  bring 
—  alas,  that  I  should  have  to  leave  him  with 
a  stranger  !  —  as  much  as  ten  pieces  of  silver." 

"  Go  your  ways  content,"  replied  Aman. 
"  See,  your  company  grows  small  against  the 


CT"HE   KISS 

JL       OF   GLORT 


sky  as  it  journeys  in  the  distance.  I  have 
paid  you  double  what  you  ask  me." 

The  sheik  made  his  farewells,  but  Aman 
did  not  hear.  His  heart  looked  out  of  his 
eyes  at  Joseph.  And  as  the  trader  and  his 
slaves  mounted  and  rode  away  he  saw  the  lad 
spring  to  the  horse's  back,  and  bend,  and 
gently,  with  both  hands,  turn  the  intelligent 
face  toward  the  tent.  There  was  a  moment 
of  indecision,  and  then,  with  lifted  head  and 
proudly  conscious  air,  the  steed  stepped  forth 
and  only  paused  when  they  had  reached 
the  awning.  For  a  moment  the  boy  sat 
still.  Then  he  sprang  down  and  turned  to 
Louimma. 

"  See,"  he  cried,  "  I  have  brought  you  a 
horse  worthy  of  Pharaoh's  emerald  chamber." 
And,  bold  in  his  joy,  he  loosed  the  long  ribbon 
from  her  hair,  and  throwing  it  around  the 
horse's  neck  replaced  it  in  her  hand.  But 
Aman,  smiling,  threw  the  string  away. 

"  To-day,"  he  said  abruptly,  looking  from 
the  ambush  of  his  brows  upon  the  boy,  "  we 
travel  south  toward  Hebron.  Mayhap  the 


HE  KISS 
OF  GLORT 


way  will  lead  by  Jacob's  tents.  'Tis  yours  to 
choose  whether  your  path  leads  on  to  Egypt 
—  or  ends  there." 

Joseph  turned  his  face  away.  It  was  pale 
with  a  boy's  sharp  yearning  for  his  home. 
Louimma  went  softly  out  and  left  him,  and  the 
chief  stood  like  a  statue  in  the  door.  The 
horse  seemed  waiting  for  the  pressure  of  his 
master's  knees;  even  the  distant  tents  grew 
strangely  still. 

Then  Joseph  raised  his  eyes.  They  swam 
in  tears,  but  he  was  not  ashamed. 

"  My  way,  O  chief,"  he  said,  "  leads  on  to 
Egypt." 


CHAPTER    VI 

The  Eagle's  Flight 

THE  palms  waved  in  the  forenoon 
wind  from  the  sea;  while  the  hair 
tents  were  folded  and  the  equip 
ments  and  furniture — ample  enough  in  quan 
tity  and  luxurious  enough  in  quality  to  adorn 
a  palace — were  reduced  to  the  space  of  the 
camels'  panniers  and  made  ready  for  removal. 
All  the  work  incident  to  the  departure  of  the 
caravan  had  been  accomplished  with  noiseless 
haste,  and  now  the  slaves  with  the  outfit  of  the 
camp  were  travelling  southward  in  advance  at 
morning  speed. 

Layah,  the  wife  of  Aman,  was  in  her  basket 
of  woven  palm  stems  on  the  back  of  a  huge 
white  camel,  which  was  still  comfortably 
kneeling  in  the  shade  of  the  weeping  tree. 
This  animal  was  richly  caparisoned  with  a  cloth 
of  purple  byssus,  three-piled  from  the  Sidon 
looms,  and  embroidered  all  around  its  sides 


rHE   KISS  ~~ 

OF   GLORY  II 

with  white  and  colored  stones.  Its  head-dress 
and  the  pendants  swinging  from  the  saddle 
were  of  rope  made  from  silvery  silk  hair,  and 
a  little  canopy  above  shielded  the  rider  from 
the  sun.  Louimma  had  been  similarly 
mounted  along  the  way  from  Damascus  to 
the  present  encampment,  but  now  that  they 
were  within  two  days'  easy  journey  to  Mem 
phis  she  begged  her  father  to  let  her  ride  her 
horse  the  remainder  of  the  way.  Aman  de 
murred  at  first  at  this,  remembering  that  the 
highways  between  Philistia  and  the  sea  had 
been  broken  by  wagons  hauling  great  blocks 
of  stone  from  Gilboa  for  Pharaoh's  buildings. 
But  Layah,  so  sweet  of  face  and  small  of  stat 
ure  that  her  taller  daughter  called  her  "  little 
mother,"  was  an  Egyptian;  and  she  laughed 
at  the  thought  of  the  great  king  leaving  a 
road  unrepaired  for  a  whole  season. 

"  Let  the  child  have  her  horse,"  she  said, 
smiling  up  at  him  with  her  long,  lustrous  eyes. 
"  Her  heart  is  an  Arab;  its  beats  are  hoof 
music.  Besides,  there  is  no  danger.  Pha 
raoh's  highways  are  by  this  time  as  smooth 


rHE   KISS 
OF    GLORT 


as  ribbons  from  Engannin  to  Kem.  The 
last  caravan  reported  that  the  Ethiopian  slaves 
worked  like  black  ants,  each  carrying  many 
times  his  bulk  in  solid  stone,  to  lay  the  floor 
for  the  king's  chariots.  Let  the  girl  ride  into 
Egypt  like  her  father's  daughter,  on  a  horse." 

Aman's  eyes  flashed  pride  and  pleasure. 

"  A  fearless  heart  dwells  in  this  little  tent," 
he  said,  with  his  hand  on  her  shoulder ;  "  and 
something,  too,  that  may  be  mother  pride. 
But  be  it  as  you  wish." 

"  Come,  son  of  Jacob,"  he  called  to  the  boy, 
who  at  that  moment  came  up  from  the  foun 
tain  with  the  black  horse,  "  and  bring  the 
steed  yonder  to  be  a  running  mate  for  the  lion 
you  have  tamed." 

He  pointed  to  a  slender-limbed  Arabian 
grazing  a  short  distance  from  where  the  tents 
had  stood.  And  as  Joseph  ran  to  do  his  bid 
ding  Louimma  darted  from  an  oleander 
thicket  and  caught  his  sleeve. 

"  You  need  not  go  to  the  foot  of  the  hill 
for  my  horse,  O  Conqueror,"  she  said,  with 
a  proud  lifting  of  her  pretty  chin.  "  All  the 
steeds  in  Syria  are  not  subdued  by  you." 


HE  KISS 
OF   GLORT 


Her  folded  hand  was  like  a  pink-lined  shell. 
She  raised  it  to  her  lips  and  blew  a  soft  whistle 
through  it,  and  the  sound  had  scarcely  died 
away  when  there  came  a  beating  of  unshod 
hoofs  over  the  turf,  and  in  a  moment  a  beauti 
ful  head  was  bending  for  her  caresses. 

"  Said  I  not  so  ?  "  she  said  triumphantly, 
"  Come,  I  will  lead  them  both  —  this  star  of 
mine  and  your  black-muzzled  prince  —  up  to 
my  father." 

Her  hand  was  on  her  horse's  neck,  and  she 
reached  toward  the  wild  black  mane  of  the 
other.  Joseph  stepped  in  between  them  with 
a  cry  of  fear. 

"  Do  not  so,"  he  said  hurriedly.  "  Re 
member  he  is  all  untrained.  See,  the  flutter 
of  your  garment  frightens  him." 

She  stamped  her  sandalled  foot,  and  with  a 
haughty  glance  at  the  boy  caught  her  little 
fingers  in  the  sweeping  mane. 

"  I  will  lead  them  both,"  she  said,  "  up  to 
my  father."  And  before  Joseph  had  time  to 
protest  again,  the  will  behind  her  tiny  hands 
had  drawn  those  two  great  creatures  into  a 


CT^HE   KISS 

2        OF   GLORT 


sober  pace  as  she  calmly  walked  between 
them  up  the  hill. 

The  chief's  swarthy  face  paled  as  he  looked 
at  her,  and  he  shot  an  angry  glance  at  Joseph, 
who  came  running  up  behind.  But  the  little 
mother  laughed  with  pride. 

"  Child  of  Aman,"  she  cried  in  her  shrill, 
sweet  voice,  "  even  so  have  I  seen  your  father 
walk  between  his  friends.  But  come,  tie  my 
veil  and  let  us  set  forth.  We  shall  cover  but 
a  few  miles  before  Bel  reaches  high  heaven." 

The  Nubian,  Zenock,  came  up  with  the 
trappings,  and  when  Louimma's  horse  was 
made  ready  and  adorned  with  his  set  of  silver 
bells,  and  she  had  leaped  from  the  slave's 
broad  hand  to  the  saddle,  he  turned  toward 
the  black  cautiously.  But  the  Arab's  wild  eyes 
roved,  and  his  nostrils  flared  to  show  a  line  of 
flame,  until  Joseph,  throwing  himself  upon 
the  quivering  back,  bent  low  and  made,  with 
his  arms,  the  only  yoke  the  desert  steed  would 
suffer  ;  and  they  were  away  like  the  wind,  Lou- 
imma  and  the  brown  horse  following. 

The  camp  had  been  pitched  on  the  northern 


rHE   KISS 
OF  GLORT 


border  of  Shechem,  and  a  few  miles'  travel 
ling,  during  which  the  little  company  had  be 
come  more  compact,  brought  them  to  a  low 
hill  overlooking  the  barley  fields  and  orchards. 
Joseph,  who  was  riding  by  the  side  of  Aman, 
looked  across  the  flowering  acres  sadly. 

"  But  yesterday,  O  friend,"  he  said,  "  this 
land  was  mine."  He  stretched  his  arm  wide, 
from  the  east  seaward.  Then  it  dropped  to  his 
side  and  he  rode  on  in  silence. 

"  And  yesterday,  O  son  of  Jacob,"  said  the 
chief,  "  I  crossed  the  southbound,  three-laked 
Jordan  above  Engannin,  and  from  a  crag  of 
Carmel  saw  an  eaglet  driven  from  its  nest  that 
it  might  learn  to  fly.  Straight  as  a  rock  it 
fell  a  little  way,  and  then  some  untaught  wis 
dom  spread  its  wings,  and  there  it  was,  at 
balance,  in  mid  air.  Then,  as  it  held  its 
place,  the  eagles  came  and  showed  the 
plan  and  cunning  of  the  flight.  Rising  from 
the  mountain  in  the  very  eye  of  the  sun,  they 
made  small  circles  and  waited  on  -their  wings 
until  the  fledgling  tried;  then  they  took  a 
second  larger  sweep,  and  paused  to  see  the 


E  xiss 

OF   GLORT 


young  wings  follow  them.  And  so  again  and 
still  again,  rising  ever  toward  the  sun  and  en 
larging  the  ascending  spiral  until  slowly,  but 
with  increasing  confidence  and  strength,  the 
eaglet  mounted  after  them,  and  with  a  bold 
and  splendid  lift  of  wings  flew  from  my  sight." 

He  paused  and  looked  at  the  boy  narrowly. 

"  Your  lesson  is  less  kind,  O  son  of  Jacob/' 
he  said,  "  but  learn  it  well.  To-morrow  we 
shall  be  in  Egypt,  where  I  may  find  you  place 
among  the  officers  of  the  court  or  some  small 
occupation  ill  the  town;  or,  failing  that,  you 
may  return  with  my  caravan  to  the  shawl  tents 
east  of  Gilead." 

"  I  cannot  speak  my  thanks,  O  chief,"  the 
lad  answered.  "  Do  with  me  as  you  will." 

Louimma  had  ridden  up,  and  now  crowded 
her  horse  between  the  steeds  ridden  by  Aman 
and  Joseph. 

She  was  a  girl  of  twelve  years;  tall  and 
slender  as  a  sapling  palm  and  full  of  laughter. 
Her  hair,  which  she  wore  in  the  fashion  of  her 
Egyptian  mother,  flowing  over  her  shoulders, 
was  blue-black,  and  her  eyes,  of  the  same  hue, 


HE   KISS 
OF    GLORT 


had  the  softness  of  the  spring  midnight.  She 
was  dressed  in  a  long  tunic  of  the  coarse,  white 
lustrous  silk  woven  in  Damascus,  and  a  thin 
ner  piece  of  the  same  fabric  was  held  by  a 
coral  band  around  her  head  and  allowed  to  fall 
over  her  hair.  As  she  pushed  the  head  of  her 
horse  between  the  flanks  of  the  two  in  front 
of  her,  she  called: 

"  I  have  a  message  from  the  little  mother. 
She  says  there  is  a  grove  ahead  of  oak  trees 
and  sycamore,  and  the  place  looks  as  though 
it  hid  a  spring." 

"  There  is  a  fountain  less  than  the  length  of 
a  shepherd's  staff  from  that  lordliest  tree," 
said  Joseph;  but  Louimma  frowned  on  him. 

"  I  like  not  your  words,"  she  said.  "  In  the 
tents  we  measure  but  by  spears." 

"  I  also  am  a  tent  dweller,"  he  answered 
stoutly,  "  but  we  have  little  need  for  spears 
among  the  flocks."  Then  he  stopped,  cha 
grined  and  without  defense,  for  her  rosy  lips 
still  curled. 

"  If  I  were  a  man,"  said  Louimma,  "  I 
would  be  a  warrior  with  a  battle-ax,  and  ar- 


rHE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


rows,  and  a  javelin  tipped  with  red  gold.  I 
would  not  sit  with  a  hooked  staff  among  the 
sheep." 

The  scorn  in  her  tone  brought  a  quick  blush 
to  his  cheek.  He  was  a  shepherd,  and,  with 
the  pride  that  always  lingers  in  the  heart  of  a 
boy,  he  answered  that  he  wished  to  spend  his 
life  among  the  sheep.  But  by  the  flash  in  the 
young  maid's  eyes  he  read  his  fate.  He  knew 
he  would  take  up  that  peaceful  staff  no  more. 

Aman,  who  had  ridden  back  to  ride  beside 
Layah,  now  called : 

"  Halt  at  the  grove.  We  will  rest  and  re 
fresh  ourselves  there  until  the  sun  descends 
westward."  And  they  turned  off  from  the 
highway  and  rode  slowly  among  great  boled 
and  branching  trees,  where  they  soon  dis 
mounted  and  spread  rugs  and  skins  to  recline 
upon.  Joseph  walked  with  the  chief  to  an  ele 
vation  where  he  could  point  out  the  divisions 
of  his  father's  possessions.  Far  on  the  north, 
high  above  the  green  dappled  fields  of  Dothan 
and  the  plain  Esdraelon,  rose  the  white  crest 
of  Mount  Hermon.  Before  them  on  the  east 


HE   KISS 
OF   GLORY 


lay  all  of  Syria,  a  green  valley  with  the  Jordan 
in  its  embrace,  and  on  either  side  of  this  deep 
vale,  two  mighty  walls  of  mountains  —  the 
Syrian  ranges  —  which,  with  the  valley,  make 
the  three  distinct  divisions  of  the  land. 
Straight  down  from  Lebanon  runs  the  west 
ern  range,  rugged  at  the  north  and  sweeping 
in  gradations,  down  and  down  until  the  feet 
of  the  hills  are  burned  in  the  desert  of  the 
south.  But  the  eastern  wall  springs  out  of 
Hermon's  lofty  side,  and,  sinking  swiftly  to 
2,000  feet  above  the  sea,  stands  like  a  bulwark 
on  the  Hauran  plains  until  the  River  Yarmuk 
cuts  a  channel  through  it  for  its  silver  flood, 
and  little  vales  from  Gilead  intersect  it;  and 
here  and  there  along  the  way  to  the  Arabian 
plateau,  which  finally  gathers  to  itself  the  last 
low  hills,  volcanoes  wave  their  plumes  of  rose 
and  gray  against  the  placid  azure,  of  the  sky. 
Joseph  indicated  the  boundary  lines  of  the 
estate  as  well  as  he  could  do  so.  Beautiful 
and  productive  country,  smiling  with  fields 
and  gardens,  but  the  Arab  looked  out  upon 
them  with  frowning  eyes. 


0/C  <HTHE    KISS 

OU  -/        OF    GLORT 

"I  have  no  love  for  Jacob,"  he  said  abruptly. 
"  But  I  like  well  your  ways ;  and  I  counsel  you, 
when  you  go  down  to  Egypt,  go  not  as  Ja 
cob's  son.  The  caravans  that  come  and  go 
bear  laden  packs  of  tales.  A  scorpion  from 
these  gardens  might  sting  you  by  the  Nile." 

In  the  cool  of  the  afternoon  the  caravan 
started,  and  after  a  steady  march  camped  at 
midnight  a  mile  to  the  north  of  Hebron.  A 
company  of  Bedouins  had  pitched  their  shawl 
tents  near  the  place  and  a  dance  was  in  pro 
gress  in  the  open-walled  pavilion.  Zenock 
and  the  other  slaves  who  had  gone  on  ahead 
had  Aman's  tent  in  readiness,  and  Layah  and 
her  daughter  at  once  entered  it.  But  in  re 
sponse  to  an  invitation  brought  by  a  slave, 
Aman  and  Joseph  went  over  to  watch  the  en 
tertainment.  A  sheik  from  beyond  Esdraelon 
was  their  host,  and  he  met  them  at  the  en 
trance  to  the  tent  and  led  them  to  a  place  on 
the  cushions  at  the  end  of  the  enclosure  di 
rectly  in  front  of  the  performer. 

A  band  of  musicians  woke  a  curious  melody 
from  hollow  reeds  and  flat  drums,  and  a  girl 


rHE   KISS  O* 

OF  GLORT  °  I 

clashed  cymbals  in  her  hands  and  danced  and 
swayed  into  the  measures,  as  though  she  were 
in  some  way  the  visible  expression  of  both 
sound  and  motion.  Her  dress  was  a  fabric  as 
light  as  woven  moonbeams  and  it  clothed  her 
like  a  cloud.  Forward,  backward,  she  floated ; 
and  then,  as  the  instruments  cried  hoarsely, 
she  took  a  hoop  set  all  around  with,  dagger 
blades  and  leaped  in  and  out  of  its  jagged 
circle  and  whirled  it  swiftly  around  her  sun- 
stained  arms.  Then  she  stood  upright  and 
bent  backward — as  only  a  reed  beneath  a  gale 
has  learned  the  art  to  bend — until  the  red  gold 
of  her  hair  had  met  her  heels,  while,  with  the 
hoop  of  swords  whirling  with  incredible  swift 
ness  in  her  hands,  she  flung  herself  around  and 
around  with  the  rotary  motion  of  a  wheel 
until  she  and  her  hoop  were  like  two  rings  of 
light  in  space. 

Joseph  walked  back  with  Aman;  and  the 
sound  of  the  cymbals  lingered  in  his  ears. 
But  when  the  camp  was  asleep  he  lay  among 
his  pillows  with  his  eyes  staring  into  the  soft 
darkness.  Now  and  then  he  heard  the  cry  of  a 


88 


lamb  from  his  father's  flocks  in  the  near  val 
ley;  the  lowing  call  of  kine  from  hill  to  hill. 
At  last  he  arose  and  drew  aside  the  curtain 
and  went  out.  The  fields  were  in  a  flood  of 
silver  light  and  toward  the  south,  dull  black 
against  the  starry  purple  of  the  heavens, 
loomed  the  skin  tents  of  Jacob.  The  boy 
gazed  until  he  could  see  no  more,  and  then 
hid  his  face  in  his  folded  arms  and  wept. 

At  dawn  the  camp  was  all  astir  with  prepa 
rations  for  departure,  and  before  the  sun  was 
two  hours  old  the  little  company,  riding  as 
before,  were  on  the  way.  Their  neighbors  had 
evidently  gone  noiselessly  in  the  darkness,  for 
their  bright  tents  had  disappeared. 

Aman  and  Joseph  rode  together  at  the  head 
of  the  caravan.  They  were  silent;  but  the 
bright  voices  of  Layah  and  her  daughter  came 
up  to  them  on  the  light  morning  breeze.  The 
road  led  west  of  Jacob's  possessions  and  the 
boy  passed  by  steadily.  Aman  saw  the  pain 
in  the  young  face,  but  wisely  made  no  sign. 
There  was  movement  and  life  among  the  peo 
ple.  Women  were  going  to  and  fro,  carrying 


rHE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


water  in  jars  upon  their  heads  or  shoulders; 
children  were  playing  and  shepherds  could  be 
seen  among  their  flocks.  Still  the  lad  looked 
straight  in  front  of  him  until  the  place  was 
passed,  and  south  of  Hebron  the  highway 
sharply  turned  to  run  westward  through  Phil- 
istia.  Here,  all  of  a  sudden,  the  red  hills 
crouched  down  and  gave  the  first  sight  of  the 
sea.  But  Joseph  looked  back  as  he  reached 
this  place,  and  saw,  on  a  height,  and  dark 
against  the  morning  sky,  an  old  man,  in  the 
garments  of  mourning. 


CHAPTER   VII 

Mizraim 

FOR  hours  the  eyes  of  the  tent-dwelling 
Joseph  had  rested  in  wonder  on  the 
temples,    obelisks,    and    pyramids, 
which  at  first  appeared  as  small  black  points 
against  the  horizon,  but  gradually  lifted  them 
selves  from  the  sands  until  they  seemed  to 
meet  and  pierce  the  sky. 

As  the  travellers  neared  their  destination  by 
the  caravan  road,  from  east  to  west  there  was 
not  so  much  as  a  little  hill  to  make  a  shadow. 
But  a  sudden  turn  to  the  south  showed  the 
green  and  marshy  plains  caught  by  the  arms 
of  rugged  hills  which  were  mirrored  in  the 
tawny  waters  of  a  river. 

Aman,  who  knew  the  country,  described  it 
to  the  boy  as  they  approached,  and  pointed 
out  the  important  buildings  of  the  capital  un 
til  evening  came  and  blotted  them  against  the 
sky  and  all  Mizraim — for  such  was  the  ancient 


rHE   KISS 
OF   GLORY 


name  of  the  land  now  known  as  Egypt — lay 
like  a  cool,  green  lily  under  the  still  darkness. 
Zenock  took  the  brass  brazier  which  had 
been  his  special  care  against  all  the  accidents 
of  travel  and  set  it  on  the  ground  by  the  road 
side  ;  and  after  he  had  quickened  the  coals  by 
blowing  into  them  huge  blasts  from  his 
mighty  lungs  the  other  servants  dipped  and 
set  blazing  the  oiled  wicks  of  their  torches, 
and  then  ran  with  the  lights  held  aloft  to  form 
a  foot  guard  for  the  chief  and  his  company. 
The  fire-box  replaced  before  him  on  the 
camel,  Zenock  urged  his  beast  ahead,  and  so, 
making  slow  progress,  they  came  to  where  the 
Nile  stretched  a  red  arm  between  them  and 
the  city.  The  place  was  the  terminal  of  the 
great  highway,  and  there  was  an  inn  for  the 
accommodation  of  the  many  traders  who  came 
down  from  Damascus  and  the  spice  regions  of 
Gilead.  The  noise  of  the  arrival  was  heard  in 
the  house,  and  as  the  company  dismounted  a 
door  was  thrown  open  and  a  shaft  of  light 
struck  through  the  soft,  black  night,  and  Ju- 
bal,  the  innkeeper,  came  out  to  welcome  the 
guests  it  illuminated. 


ar'HE  KISS 

-I       OF   GLORT 


Joseph  had  never  been  within  stone  walls 
before,  and  he  gazed  about  with  boyish  curi 
osity.  The  lofty  central  chamber  was  rude 
enough  in  that  land  of  builders,  but  its  painted 
columns  and  vaulted  roof  seemed  majestic  to 
him,  and  he  looked  at  the  carved  chairs  and 
tables  and  other  articles  of  furniture  with 
amazement.  There  were  numerous  smaller 
rooms  opening  from  this  main  apartment,  and 
into  one  of  these  Layah  and  Louimma  were 
conducted  with  their  women  attendants;  but 
when  the  lady  and  her  daughter  had  been 
given  refreshments  the  host  returned  to  Aman 
and  attentively  studied  him.  Then  he  took  a 
tablet  from  his  sash  and  began  what  proved  to 
be  a  reasonably  accurate  portrait  of  the  Arab 
on  its  ivory  surface. 

"  For  seven  years,  O  Aman  of  Arabia,"  he 
said,  as  he  worked  deftly  with  a  little  pencil 
of  camel's  hair.  "  For  seven  years  and  more 
I  have  pictured  your  face  on  my  record  book 
and  numbered  your  household  and  slaves; 
but " — he  stopped  and  finished  with  a  few 
telling  strokes  the  likeness,  and  then  turned 


E   KISS 

OF   GLORT 


and    looked    sharply    at    Joseph  —  "  this    lad 
seems  not  of  your  tribe.     He  is  a  stranger." 

Aman  laughed  and  laid  his  arm  across  the 
young  Hebrew's  shoulders. 

"  Make  a  fair  picture  of  the  boy,  O  Jubal," 
he  said,  "  and  write  on  your  tablet  beneath  it  : 
'  Dath,  son  of  Aman  the  Ishmaelite.'  ' 

The  landlord  bowed,  but  a  smile  hid  in  the 
corners  of  his  beard,  and  when  the  sketch  on 
the  tablet  was  complete  it  bore  the  inscription 
—  and  something  more: 

"  Dath,  son  of  Aman  the  Ishmaelite  —  with 
the  eyes  and  the  lip  of  Canaan." 

When  the  little  set  of  ivory  leaves  had  been 
replaced  in  his  girdle,  Jubal  went  to  give  di 
rections  for  the  refreshment  and  lodging  of 
his  guests,  and  the  two  stood  and  looked  at 
each  other  a  moment  in  silence. 

"  That  name,"  said  the  chief,  "  is  a  key  to 
lock  you  from  the  spies  and  to  open,  at  your 
need,  the  tents  of  Kedar." 

The  boy  went  close  and  laid  his  arms 
around  the  Arab's  shoulders  ;  but  he  could  not 
speak,  and  thus  they  stood  for  a  moment's 


'HE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


space  in  wordless  understanding.  Then  to 
gether  they  walked  down  the  long  room  and 
came  to  a  halt  beside  two  Egyptians  playing 
draughts  on  a  checkered  board,  which  they 
held  between  them  on  their  knees.  The 
pieces  were  of  porcelain,  red  and  black,  and 
all  of  the  same  size  and  form — cat-headed 
figures  an  inch  and  a  half  in  height  on  a 
circular  base — and  the  players  moved  them 
with  slow  and  precise  calculation,  and  did  not 
even  raise  their  eyes  as  the  strangers  ap 
proached.  Aman,  after  watching  them  a 
short  moment,  without  receiving  look  or 
word  of  greeting,  lifted  a  disdainful  shoulder 
and  walked  away,  and  after  a  while  the  boy 
saw  him  beckoning  him  from  the  doorway. 
He  went  across,  as  Louimma  came  running 
toward  them,  exclaiming: 

"  Music,  father.  There  are  singing  harps 
floating  in  these  black  waters.  Let  us  go  out 
and  listen." 

She  slipped  her  friendly  little  hand  into 
Joseph's,  and  Aman  walked  with  them  out 
between  the  columns  of  the  portico.  A  sound 


HE  KISS 
OF  GLORY 


strangely  weird  and  mournful  came  to  them 
from  the  distance. 

"  These  are  the  funeral  barges,"  said  the 
chief.  "  The  Egyptians  come  down  their 
River  of  Life  to  the  tomb.  Hark,  their  hymn 
is  to  Ra,  the  receiver  of  souls/' 

Men's  deep  voices  could  be  heard  intoning 
as  the  boats  appeared  curving  across  the 
waters,  the  whole  procession  gliding  like  a 
black  serpent  spotted  with  light  ;  its  head  the 
golden-prowed  barge  in  which  lay  the  em 
balmed  dead,  in  its  garments  of  cloth  of  silver, 
within  a  circle  of  torches.  The  rowers  of  this 
boat  stood  on  either  side  and  dipped  their  oars 
to  the  rhythmic  measures  of  the  dirge  : 

"  Lord  of  the  Light,  uncover  thy  glowing 

bosom. 
Make  there  a  nest  for  a  white  dove  winging 

upward. 
Give  her  who  comes  to  thee  room  for  her 

spirit." 

Slowly  the  papyrus  fleet  made  its  way  over 
the  waters,  and  women's  voices  took  up  the 


96  T 


'HE   KISS 
OF    GLORT 


chanting,  while  the  light  from  the  torches 
flickered  weirdly  over  their  white-robed  fig 
ures  and  lily-crowned,  streaming  hair,  and  dis 
closed  the  sheen  of  the  wailing  instruments 
they  carried. 

Louimma  gave  a  little  shiver  as  the  proces 
sion  moved  onward  down  the  river. 

"  I  like  not  that,"  she  said.  "  Come,  boy, 
tell  me  some  merry  tale.  See,  Vega  has  hung 
her  lamp  in  the  north  and  I  can  read  your 
eyes,  so  you  must  make  me  a  true  one." 

They  sat  down  in  the  doorway,  and  Aman 
went  past  them  into  the  house. 

"  Now,"  said  Louimma,  tucking  her  little 
sandalled  feet  under  her  drapery  and  making 
a  rest  of  her  hand  for  her  pretty  chin.  "  Now 
tell  me." 

"  Once,"  he  began,  "  one  of  my  lambs  fell 
into  a  pool  and  was  drowned." 

"Well?"  said  the  girl,  after  a  moment's 
waiting.  "Goon.  What  then?" 

"  There  was  nothing  then,"  replied  the 
shepherd. 

"Nothing  then,"  repeated  Louimma,  scorn- 


HE   KISS 
OF   GLORY 


fully.  "  And  you  call  that  a  story  ?  Can  you 
not  say  how  it  wandered  away  and  cried  alone 
on  the  mountains  ?  Was  there  no  lion  to  roar 
and  frighten  it,  and  no  mother  calling  for  it 
from  the  fold?" 

The  lad  flushed,  and  answered  angrily  : 

"  When  a  tale  is  told,  it  is  told.  I  have  not 
so  many  words  to  give  the  telling  of  it." 

"  But  did  you  nothing  when  you  found  it 
in  the  water  ?  " 

"  Yes.  We  roasted  it  in  a  pit  of  sand, 
and  -  " 

But  Louimma  was  weeping  and  beating 
him  with  her  hands,  and  Aman  had  to  come 
out  to  make  peace  between  them.  But  even 
then  she  would  have  no  more  to  say,  and  soon 
went  indoors  and  to  her  room  with  her  head 
held  high  and  her  eyes  flashing.  Joseph 
looked  at  the  chief  in  perplexity  and  caught 
the  Arab's  smiling  glance. 

"  I  saw  you  tame  a  wild  horse  from  the 

desert,  my  son,"  he  said,  "  and  there  are  those 

who   think   it  less   a  task   to   understand  a 

woman.     But  I  warrant  your  tongue  is  slower 

7 


98  T 


HE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


than  your  wit.  And  that  is  well.  Tis  oftener 
the  other  way  where  we  are  going.  But 
come.  A  few  hours  lie  between  us  and  your 
future.  Shall  we  go  and  seek  favor  with  the 
king  that  you  may  learn  court  speeches  for 
your  tongue's  loosening,  or  will  you  try  what 
schooling  you  may  have  in  war  ?  The  miser 
able  Cush  are  troubling  the  border." 

Up  to  that  moment  Joseph  had  had  no  idea 
of  what  the  days  were  to  be  to  him,  but  now 
he  remembered  Louimma's  words: 

"  If  I  were  a  man  I  would  be  a  warrior," 
and  he  answered : 

"  I  would  learn  the  uses  of  the  spear,  my 
father;  the  shepherd's  staff  has  fallen  from 
my  hand." 


CHAPTER   Fill 

Winged  Arrows 

LAYAH  and  Louimma  came  up  from 
the  rush-bordered  pool  formed  by  a 
small  inlet  in  the  river  where  they 
had  taken  their  morning  bath,  to  find  Joseph 
watching  the  portage  of  the  goods  and  the 
animals  across  the  water.  A  large  raft  manned 
by  a  number  of  Ethiopians  was  moored  to  the 
wharf,  and  the  loading  was  going  on  with 
system  and  rapidity.  The  horses,  rearing  and 
prancing  in  distrust,  were  led  on  to  the  plat 
form  of  reed-bound  cypress  trunks.  But  while 
they  stood  in  the  centre,  striking  hollow 
sounds  with  their  pawing  hoofs  and  requiring 
all  the  skill  of  Zenock  and  the  other  slaves  to 
keep  them  from  overturning  the  raft,  the  cam 
els  were  led  on  and  formed  into  a  circle,  mak 
ing  an  effectual  living  wall  between  the  horses 
and  the  river.  The  animals  might  have  swam 
the  distance,  which  was  less  than  half  a  mile  at 


Tnn  CT'HE   KISS 

*C/C/  ±       OF   GLORT 


this  point,  in  the  time  of  the  receding  waters. 
But  crocodiles  were  a  constant  menace  to 
swimmers,  and  just  now  doubly  dangerous  be 
cause  they  were  being  hunted  with  spears  by 
sportsmen  from  the  cities  as  far  north  as 
Tanis,  and  lost  not  an  opportunity  to  vent 
their  rage  on  any  helpless  thing.  It  had  been 
the  habit  of  the  hunters  to  bait  them  with  a 
little  pig  on  a  hook.  The  men,  dressed  in 
hides  to  make  them  appear  like  the  creatures 
they  pursued,  carried  living  pigs,  which  they 
caused  to  squeal  vigorously  when  the  pointed 
snout  of  the  crocodile  was  lifted  from  the  river 
and  his  suspicious  eyes  fastened  on  the  bait. 
Reassured  by  the  squeal  that  the  morsel  was 
to  his  liking,  the  huge  beast  seized  it  only  to 
find  himself  caught,  while  the  crocodiles  he 
had  seen  sunning  themselves  on  the  bank  sud 
denly  changed  to  men.  It  was  then  a  sports 
man's  triumph  to  take  the  living  monster 
back  to  the  city.  But  the  fashion  of  the  sport 
had  been  changed,  and  now  the  approach  of 
the  hunters  in  light  and  easily  capsized  boats 
lent  an  element  of  danger  and  fairness  to  the 
chase. 


E    KISS 
OF   GLORT 


When  the  raft  had  been  nicely  balanced  with 
the  skilful  lading  the  Ethiopians  pushed  off, 
and  by  the  use  of  poles  and  paddles  made  their 
way  slowly  across  the  stream  to  the  crowded 
wharf  of  the  city;  and  Aman  remained  with 
his  family  where  they  had  spent  the  night. 
The  temples  of  rose-colored  marble  and  the 
magnificence  of  the  life  now  plainly  visible  on 
the  other  side  filled  the  boy  with  a  sudden 
eagerness  to  find  his  part  in  it.  Then  he  looked 
at  Louimma  and  the  glow  faded.  Her  home 
was  in  the  tents  east  of  Gilead.  A  wave  of 
nameless  desolation  sv/ept  over  him,  and  his 
eyes  cleared  of  their  veil  of  tears  to  see  the 
girl  beside  him  and  feel  her  little  hand  slip  into 
his  own. 

"  My  father  says  that  you  will  be  a  soldier," 
she  said,  "  and  fight  for  Pharaoh.  I  wish  I 
were  a  man  and  I  would  ride  behind  you  in 
your  chariot  and  teach  you  how  to  use  the 
bow." 

A  flush  crept  over  the  boy's  face,  but  he 
turned  in  bashful  earnestness. 

"  I  would  like  that  well,"  he  answered,  "  and 


£    KISS 
QF 


if  ever  I  have  a  chariot  I  shall  come  for  you." 

"  Oh,  I  said  if  I  were  a  man." 

"  Yes,"  said  Joseph,  "  but  I  should  like  you 
as  well  as  you  are.  Can  you,  in  truth,  use  the 
bow?" 

"  Does  the  daughter  of  the  greatest  archer 
in  Arabia  know  the  way  of  the  arrow?  "  she 
said  teasingly.  "  Wait." 

She  ran  to  where  a  number  of  short  spears 
and  bows  with  quivers  lay  on  the  ground  with 
some  other  articles  of  personal  property  which 
were  to  be  carried  over  with  their  owners,  and 
selecting  a  weapon  from  among  them  hurried 
back  to  Joseph. 

"  A  cedar  of  Lebanon  gave  this  to  me,"  she 
said,  exhibiting  a  slender  and  beautifully  pol 
ished  bow.  But  the  lad  looked  bewildered 
as  he  took  it. 

"  A  cedar  is  a  tree ;  it  does  not  make  gifts," 
he  said  at  length.  But  she  snatched  the  dis 
puted  article  from  his  hand  and  stamped  her 
foot. 

"  Go  back  to  your  sheep,"  she  cried,  "  and 
when  the  leaves  hold  little  hands  above  your 


rHE   KISS 
OF  GLORT 


head  and  sprinkle  you  at  evening  with  the 
dew  say  that '  they  make  no  gift.'  And  when 
their  great,  kind  branches  beckon  down  the 
rain  say  that '  they  make  no  gift.'  Oh,  I  would 
rather  be  a  lamb  to  bleat  and  '  baa  '  than  be  a 
shepherd  with  so  little  wit !  " 

The  tears  were  in  her  eyes,  and  Joseph  hung 
his  head  in  speechless  misery. 

But  the  temper  of  the  Arab's  daughter  was 
over  in  a  breath. 

"Come,"  she  said,  smiling  like  Spring; 
"  here  is  a  shaft  tipped  with  jasper  and  winged 
with  the  feather  of  a  white  eagle.  Give  me  a 
mark." 

He  looked  about.  "  There,"  he  said;  "  the 
blight  on  the  body  of  that  palm,  ten  staff — 
spears'  length  from  here." 

She  laughed. 

"  A  night  bird  sits  and  plots  up  on  the  high 
plumed  tree  an  hundred  spears'  length  off 
toward  the  desert.  My  arrow  goes  to  him." 

She  raised  the  bow,  and  fixing  the  shaft  in 
the  centre  of  the  string  drew  them  back  be 
tween  her  thumb  and  finger  until  the  wood 


E  KISS 
OF  GLORT 


curved  to  a  shining  arc,  and  the  arrow,  aimed 
from  her  ear,  made  a  straight  path  for  her 
keen  bright  eye  to  travel.  Then  with  a  song 
the  arrow  sped,  and  Joseph  saw  a  feather  fall 
to  earth  as  the  bird  rose  and  flew  away. 

He  caught  the  girl's  hands  and  shook  them ; 
and  she  was  smiling  proudly  when  Aman,  who 
had  witnessed  the  shot,  came  up  to  lift  her  in 
his  arms  and  praise  her  even  to  her  complete 
satisfaction.  Then  she  turned  to  Joseph. 

"Take  the  bow,"  she  said;  "or  wait.  I 
will  get  another.  And  it  must  be  a  heavier 
and  stronger  one,  suited  to  your  great 
muscles.  You  shall  have  your  first  lesson 
now."  She  ran  to  the  heap  of  weapons  and 
then  came  back  with  the  one  she  had  selected. 
"  See,"  she  said,  "  you  must  hold  the  bow  thus 
— even  as  you  saw  me  but  now — and  pinch 
the  arrow  and  string  together — so." 

She  laid  her  hand  over  his,  and  standing 
at  his  shoulder  drew  back  the  arrow  with  him. 

"  Good !  "  she  cried,  as  he  slackened  the 
bow.  "  Now  we  must  choose  a  mark.  Some 
thing  not  too  hard  to  reach,  lest  the  shaft 


rHE   KISS 
OF  GLORT 


grow  weary  of  its  long  flight.  What  shall 
it  be?" 

Joseph  threw  back  his  head  and  laughed. 

"  Look,"  he  said.  "  What  is  that  dark  and 
swiftly  moving  speck  against  the  sky  ?  " 

He  pointed  to  an  object  high  above  them. 

"  I  know  not,"  said  Louimma.  "  I  cannot 
see  so  far." 

"  I  will  bring  it  closer,"  he  said  quietly; 
and  then  stepping  a  space  backward,  with  a 
motion  full  of  grace  and  power  he  drew  the 
bow.  There  was  a  sharp  twang,  a  sudden  dart 
of  silver  light  parting  the  air,  and  then  a  dark 
mass  hurtling  downward  to  their  feet.  Lou 
imma  stood  amazed  and  speechless  beside  her 
equally  silent  father.  But  Joseph  stooped 
and  lifted  the  bird. 

"  It  is  a  hawk,"  he  said ;  and  began  extri 
cating  the  arrow  without  another  word. 

Louimma  went  and  stood  beside  him.  Her 
eyes  were  full  of  pride  and  her  cheeks  glowed. 

"  Father,"  she  cried  imperiously,  "  which 
is  the  greater  archer,  my  cousin  or  thou?  " 

Aman's  dark  eyes  shone. 


E  KISS 

OF   GLORr 


"  Never,"  he  said,  "  have  I  seen  so  true  an 
eye  and  hand  —  I  who  know  the  arrow  craft 
of  Ishmael.  Where  did  you  learn  it,  boy?" 

"  The  sons  of  Jacob  are  drilled  for  dif 
ferent  offices,  O  chief,"  answered  the  lad. 
"  Some  to  the  sling,  and  some  to  the  short 
ax,  and  some  to  the  staff.  I  chose  the  bow." 

"  And  you  chose  wisely,"  said  Aman. 
"  The  very  stars  might  tremble  at  your  ar 
rows." 

He  walked  away  and  entered  the  building. 
But  when  Joseph  looked  at  the  girl  again 
her  round  brown  arms  were  wreathed  about 
her  face.  The  boy  stood  perfectly  still  and 
made  no  sign.  He  felt  that  his  feet  had  sud 
denly  taken  root  in  the  red  sand.  He  could 
not  move  or  speak,  but  his  heart  ached  miser 
ably.  He  dumbly  looked  his  agony. 

Louimma  took  a  little  peep  through  her 
fingers  at  his  face. 

"  Well  !  "  she  said.     "  Am  I  not  weeping?  " 

"  Yes,"  said  Joseph  dully  ;  "  do  not  so." 

"  That  will  I,"  she  responded.  "  Hear  me 
now,"  and  she  wailed  until  he  wrenched  his 


rHE   KISS  jn>- 

OF   GLORT  *U  I 


feet  from  the  detaining  earth  and  ran  to  throw 
his  arm  about  her.  Then  she  grew  suddenly 
quiet  and  smiled  up  at  him. 

"  I  am  sorry  that  you  are  such  a  mighty 
archer,"  she  said.  "  If  you  had  asked  me  why 
I  wept,  I  should  have  told  you  so." 

"Why?"  he  asked.  "You  seemed  well 
pleased." 

"  Yes,  but  I  was  not,'  she  answered,  sigh 
ing.  "  You  will  not  need  a  second  in  your 
battle  chariot,  and  I  shall  have  no  need  to 
show  you  all  the  magic  of  the  bow." 

"  That  is  well,"  he  answered.  "  I  should 
turn  coward  with  you  near  me  if  there  was 
aught  of  harm  I  could  not  keep  from  you." 

Louimma  glanced  quickly  to  his  face;  but 
she  did  not  look  ill-pleased  as  she  questioned 
softly  : 

"Why?" 

"  I  know  not,"  answered  Joseph,  with  :i 
troubled  brow;  and  with  an  exclamation  of 
impatience  the  girl  turned  and  ran  into  the 
house. 

A  few  moments  later  the  boat  was  ready  to 


io8  THE  KISS 

•/t/U  JL       OF    GLORY 

convey  the  little  company,  now  reduced  to 
Aman's  immediate  family  and  two  servants, 
across  the  river  to  Memphis,  but  as  they  were 
about  to  embark  a  gilded  galley  of  sixteen 
oars  came  along,  and  the  eight  gleaming 
blades  that  faced  them  hung  suddenly  at  rest. 
A  pennant  bearing  a  hawk  in  relief  against  a 
solar  disk  streamed  from  the  single  mast,  and 
at  sight  of  that  emblem  Layah  bent  until  her 
dimpled  fingers  '  tips  swept  the  red  sands.  A 
young  man  on  board  leaned  over  the  golden 
prow. 

"  Hail,  Aman  of  Arabia ! "  he  cried. 
"  Peace  and  happiness  to  you  and  yours." 
He  included  in  a  graceful  gesture  the  women 
and  Joseph. 

Aman  replied  to  his  greeting  with  every 
evidence  of  pleasure.  "  Happiness  to  you, 
O  Captain  of  the  great  King,"  he  answered, 
as  he  pressed  to  the  edge  of  the  lapping 
waters  near  the  galley's  side.  "  Happiness, 
but  never  peace,  so  I  may  keep  your  friend 
ship.  I  warrant  you  but  now  are  bound  for 
war." 


HE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


"  Not  so,  good  chief,"  said  the  Egyptian, 
laughing.  "  The  provinces,  for  the  most 
part,  have  sent  their  tributes.  Although 
Pharaoh  has  some  thought  to  send  an  army 
as  far  as  the  rock  cities  of  Seir.  But  our 
spears  must  have  some  practice  in  the  wait 
ing  time,  and  it  takes  skill  to  sever  with  one 
thrust,  where  head  and  body  meet,  the  life 
cord  of  the  crocodile.  The  prince  commands 
our  hunter  ship,  but  since  he  has  sufficient 
spears,  he  seeks  an  archer.  I  would  that  we 
might  press  for  service  so  great  a  bowman 
as  are  you,  O  son  of  Ishmael." 

Aman  bowed  at  the  compliment,  and  then 
glanced  back  to  where  Joseph  stood  with 
Layah  and  Louimma.  The  eyes  of  the  boy 
met  his  with  eager  pleading.  He  stroked  his 
beard  thoughtfully  as  he  turned  to  answer 
the  Egyptian. 

"  I  am  a  merchant,  as  you  know,  and  head 
of  the  caravan  trade  from  farthest  Asia  to  the 
twin  kingdoms.  My  taste  is  not  for  hunting, 
whether  it  be  river  beasts  or  men;  but  there 
is  in  my  company  a  lad  you  may  persuade  to 


j-  Tf)  <•  I   HE    KISS 

J-iU  -L       OF   GLORT 


join  you.  But  first,  how  far  south  does  your 
expedition  lead?  I  would  see  the  boy  again 
before  I  return  to  Gilead." 

"  The  prince  has  fixed  no  time ;  but  in 
twenty  days  the  seventh  obelisk  will  be  raised 
in  Tanis  and  the  king  will  make  a  festival. 
Be  there,  and  I  give  promise  you  will  meet 
your " 

He  paused,  looking  at  the  Arab  inquir 
ingly.  The  chief  spoke  in  a  low  tone,  bend 
ing  toward  the  man  in  the  galley. 

"  There  are  stronger  ties  than  those  of  race, 
O  Potiphar,"  he  said;  "although  the  same 
blood  that  warms  my  heart  courses  full  tide 
in  that  tall  sapling  yonder.  In  truth  he  is  a 
Hebrew,  but  a  Hebrew  wronged.  It  was  for 
his  wrongs  I  loved  him  at  the  start;  but 
now —  Why,  I  have  seen  him  tame  a  courser 
of  the  sands  to  the  soft  spirit  of  a  young 
gazelle,  and  there  is  not  an  archer  to  compete 
with  him  in  all  Arabia." 

"  I  take  your  word,  O  chief,"  said  the  offi 
cer.  "  Call  the  boy  hither.  By  what  name 
shall  I  record  him  in  my  company  if,  when  the 


'HE   KISS  TTJ 

OF    GLORr  •"•* 


hunt  is  over,  we  hear  Pharaoh's  war  trum 
pet?" 

Joseph  had  approached  in  answer  to  the 
chief's  signal,  and  now  Aman's  hand  was  on 
his  shoulder. 

"  Let  him  be  known  as  Dath,"  he  made  an 
swer.  "  And  if  any  one  seeks  further,  call 
him  the  son  of  your  friend,  Aman  of  Arabia." 

Then  he  bent  over  and  kissed  the  boy  on 
both  cheeks. 

The  captain  was  the  one  to  break  the  si 
lence. 

"  The  king  of  the  double  crown  would  en 
gage  your  services,  my  boy,"  he  said.  "  Will 
you  go  with  us,  first  south  and  then,  with  the 
strong  gales,  northward  to  Tanis?" 

Joseph  gazed  with  his  clear,  straight  glance 
into  the  eyes  above  him. 

"  Yes,  I  will  go,"  he  said,  and  with  a  ges 
ture  of  salutation  he  turned  and  walked  up 
to  where  Layah  and  her  daughter  still  waited. 

"  You  are  going?  "  Louimma  asked  the 
question,  and  he  nodded  answer. 

"Now?" 


CT'HE  KISS 
-I     OF  GLORT 


'•'  Yes." 

She  put  up  her  arms  and  laid  them  around 
his  neck,  drawing  his  cheek  close  to  hers. 
Then  she  turned  away.  But  that  velvet  touch 
remained — then  and  after. 

"  We  shall  see  you  at  the  capital,"  said 
Layah,  giving  him  her  little  henna-stained 
hand ;  "  and  we  will  keep  your  horse  for  you, 
unless  Pharaoh  should  claim  him  for  the  em 
erald  chamber." 

Joseph  pressed  her  fingers  to  his  brow; 
but  when  he  took  Louimma's  little  palm  ex 
tended  toward  him,  and  paid  to  it  like  rever 
ence,  it  crept  down  until  it  rested  on  his  lips, 
and  staid  there  for  a  moment,  trembling. 

To  Aman  the  boy  had  more  to  say. 

"  I  have  not  forgotten,  O  my  friend  and 
master,"  he  said,  with  emotion,  "  that  al 
though  you  call  me  free,  the  purchase  money 
that  you  gave  to  them  at  Dothan  has  not  yet 
been  repaid." 

'  You  are  my  son,"  said  Aman.  "  Forget 
not  your  name.  This  much  will  I  require  of 
you.  If  through  the  change  of  years  it  comes 


rHE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


within  your  power,  mete  out  your  justice  well 
to  Jacob's  sons," 

They  stopped,  and  stood  gazing  into  each 
other's  eyes.  Then  from  the  galley  came  a 
trumpet  call,  and  Joseph,  without  one  look 
behind,  ran  down  to  the  shore  and  with  a  long 
leap  was  on  board.  The  rowers  bent,  and  the 
watchers  saw  the  rhythmic  swing  of  oars, 
while,  catching  life  with  motion,  at  the  mast 

fluttered  the  banner  of  the  king. 
8 


CHAPTER  IX 

Under  the  Seventh  Obelisk 

IT  was  the  festival  of  the  seventh  obelisk  in 
Tanis.  An  hour  before  the  dawn  the 
people  assembled  in  the  court  of  the  tem 
ple  of  the  sun,  there  to  await  the  rising  of 
their  god  from  the  sea.  There  was  no  light 
save  from  the  stars,  which  paled  as  the  east 
changed  from  deep  purple  to  gray  violet ;  and 
then,  as  a  plume  of  his  corona  waved  suddenly 
above  the  horizon,  the  worshippers  fell  prone 
upon  the  earth  and  covered  their  sight  from 
the  dazzling  face  of  Day.  Only  the  priests 
watched  the  great  orb  come  in  his  glory  to  his 
own.  Then  a  single  stroke  on  a  golden  bell, 
which  hung  above  the  altar  in  the  centre  of 
the  sacred  place,  called  the  people  to  arise  and 
lift  their  anthem  to  the  morning.  And  as  they 
stood  with  their  arms  stretched  to  the  east, 
bands  of  singing  children  issued  from  the  hall 
of  the  thousand  columns  in  the  temple  and, 


rHE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


linked  with  garlands,  wound  in  and  out 
among  the  men  and  women  choristers,  their 
high,  sweet  tones  soaring  above  the  deeper 
ones  as  the  notes  of  birds  float  through  and 
over  the  diapason  of  the  trees. 

Some  of  these  little  white-robed  children 
carried  instruments  of  snakeskin,  which  they 
beat  with  their  hands;  others  shook  silver  sis- 
trums  and  clashed  cymbals;  and  still  another 
company  played  on  double-pipes  and  seven- 
stringed  guitars.  Scarcely  had  these  little 
ones  found  place  when  a  band  of  young  girls 
ran  lightly  from  the  temple.  They  were  clad 
in  garments  of  gauze  in  colors  of  red,  yellow, 
green,  and  violet,  and  in  their  flowing  hair 
diamonds  shone  like  drops  of  rain.  They 
moved  forward  in  a  noble  arc  of  life  and  color, 
and  then,  as  the  chanting  changed  to  a  more 
rhythmic  melody,  before  the  obelisk  which,  like 
a  rosy  finger,  pointed  to  the  sky,  they  raised 
their  dusk)',  jewel-laden  arms,  and  with  softly- 
meeting  palms  and  swaying  bodies  fell  into 
the  measures  of  the  rainbow  dance. 
Aman  stood  with  Layah  and  Louimma  within 


rr/C  CJ^HE   KISS 

JL        OF   GLORT 

the  space  reserved  for  distinguished  guests  be 
tween  the  court  and  the  street  of  incense  trees, 
through  which  the  processions  had  to  pass  to 
reach  the  temple.  At  the  conclusion  of  the 
dancing  there  was  a  sound  of  horses'  hoofs 
and  the  rattle  of  wheels  on  the  highway,  and 
the  king  and  queen  rode  up  in  a  golden 
chariot,  with  their  fan  bearers  and  royal  com 
pany  on  foot  on  either  side  of  them.  Layah, 
the  Egyptian,  swept  down  with  the  great 
human  wave  around  her  in  a  profound  cour 
tesy,  but  A  man  stood  erect  and  saluted  Pha 
raoh  with  the  gesture  of  the  unconquered; 
while  Louimma,  looking  frankly  at  the  queen, 
cried,  "  Is  she  not  beautiful  ?  "  in  a  tone  so 
full  of  girlish  sincerity  that  the  woman  in  the 
chariot  turned  and  smiled  at  the  little  Arabian, 
and  with  a  sudden,  impulsive  gesture  flung 
her  a  rose,  which  Louimma  caught  and  gaily 
kissed. 

At  the  base  of  the  obelisk,  which  was  tipped 
with  gold  and  inscribed  along  its  hundred  feet 
of  rose-colored  granite  with  the  record  of  the 
king's  own  victories,  the  royal  couple  took 


'HE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


their  places  to  receive  embassies  bearing  trib 
ute  from  the  provinces  and  to  witness 'the 
civic  and  military  parade,  which  formed  an 
important  part  of  the  day's  programme. 

First  came  the  foot-soldiers,  marching  in 
solid  phalanxes  and  armed  according  to  their 
department  of  the  service.  Those  wielding 
spears  and  the  heavy  battle-axes  had  been 
chosen  for  their  height  and  size,  and  were,  for 
the  most  part,  war  captives  from  Ethiopia, 
whose  black  and  naked  shoulders  towered 
above  the  heads  of  the  archers  who  came 
after.  These  bowmen  were  dressed  in  short 
tunics  of  white  linen  and  wore  quilted  helmets 
falling  low  over  their  shoulders,  and  following 
them  came  the  charioteers,  princes,  and  gen 
tlemen,  armed  with  straight  swords  and  ac 
companied  by  archers  and  quiver  bearers ;  and 
last  of  all,  amid  the  shouts  of  the  multi 
tude,  came  the  cavalry,  troopers  of  the  king, 
who  drove  in  leash  before  their  horses 
the  captured  lions  they  had  brought  from 
Abyssinia.  The  horsemen  were  dressed  in 
purple  tunics  and  wore  helmets  and  round 


TTO  CT'HE    KISS 

*-*°  J.       OF   GLORT 

shields  of  beaten  gold  and  carried  light  jave 
lins  tipped  with  jasper. 

"  A  mighty  army,  O  chief,"  said  a  bystander 
to  Aman,  "  but  not  one  hundredth  part  of 
those  who  answer  Pharaoh's  golden  trumpet 
when  it  wakes  Mizraim  on  a  battle  morning. 
The  king  is  wise;  he  does  not  show  his 
strength  until  he  needs  it;  nor  does  he  put 
his  captives  into  line  for  crowds  to  gaze  at 
and,  mayhap,  pity.  He  keeps  them  in  the 
quarries  of  Syene  cutting  stones  to  tell  his 
kindnesses.  But  look!  Here  are  the  em 
bassies.  Yonder  little  people  have  come  to 
delay  the  arrows  of  the  king  until  they  dig 
more  pitfalls  and  multiply  the  traps  and  poi 
sons  in  their  forests." 

He  indicated  a  band  of  pygmies  approach 
ing  with  huge  baskets  of  palm  fibre  heaped 
with  resinous  gums  and  various  medicinal 
roots  and  herbs. 

Aman  gazed  at  the  dwarfed  and  ape-like 
creatures  with  aversion. 

"  I  would  rather  go  to  fight  a  swarm  of 
hornets,"  he  said.  And  the  other  answered 
with  a  laugh : 


rHE   KISS 
OF  GLORT 


"  Even  so  would  the  king's  soldiers." 
Then  came  the  Libyans  clad  in  leopard 
skins  and  offering  vessels  of  gold  and  silver; 
and  the  tribes  of  the  south  and  east  bringing 
emeralds  from  Zabara,  and  agates,  rock  crys 
tal,  and  carnelians  from  the  land  of  Punt,  to 
gether  with  live  monkeys,  chattering  parrots, 
and  many  furtive  little  creatures  of  the  wilds. 
Most  of  these  representatives  of  the  far  prov 
inces  were  men,  but  here  and  there  a  woman, 
straight  and  tall  as  a  young  cypress,  some 
dark  princess  clothed  only  in  her  majesty, 
strode  with  free  step  along  the  crowded  way 
and  turned  eyes  of  limpid  innocence  on  all 
she  saw. 

Layah  and  Louimma,  tired  of  long  standing 
and  the  crush  of  people  about  them,  begged 
Aman  to  make  a  way  for  them  out  of  the 
crowd.  They  were  about  to  press  forward  in 
the  wake  of  his  broad  shoulders  when  a  loud 
and  terrible  cry,  raised  somewhere  in  the  dis 
tance,  cut  a  swath  through  the  dense  throng 
as  a  scythe  cuts  a  path  through  a  meadow, 
and  as  the  people  fell  back  on  either  side,  leav- 


ing  the  highway  clear,  a  great  Numidian  lion 
leaped  down  the  way,  holding  in  his  dripping 
jaws  a  little  child. 

For  a  moment  following  that  awful,  mother- 
cry  there  was  perfect  silence;  then  the  great 
beast  ran  between  two  walls  of  sound,  but  no 
man  dared  to  send  an  arrow  after  him  lest 
he  might  strike,  instead,  the  helpless  babe. 
Layah  covered  her  face,  but  Louimma  bent 
forward  and  called  shrilly: 

"  Is  there  no  archer  in  Mizraim?  "  And, 
as  if  in  answer,  there  was  a  sudden  singing 
whisper  in  the  tense  air,  and  the  tawny  mon 
ster  stopped  still  and  dropped  the  child 
to  earth.  Then,  with  a  roar  like  the  threat 
of  the  storm  in  the  valley,  lashing  and  shaking 
in  rage  and  agony,  the  lion  leaped  in  the  air 
and  fell  dead  on  the  road. 

Louimma  threw  her  arms  around  her 
father  and  cried  with  laughter  and  tears  to 
gether  : 

"He  is  here!     He  is  here!" 

And  Aman  felt  no  need  to  question  as  he 
answered  proudly: 


'HE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


"  It  could  have  been  none  other."  Then  he 
put  his  arm  around  his  wife  tenderly. 

"  Look  up,  little  mother,"  he  said.  "  The 
child  is  saved  and  the  beast,  if  I  mistake  not, 
has  in  his  brain  an  arrow  from  our  quiver. 
But  come;  none  have  a  better  right  than  we 
to  stand  beside  the  bowman  now." 

A  group  had  quickly  gathered  in  the  road, 
and  the  numbers  were  rapidly  increasing.  The 
child,  who  had  been  carried  by  his  gar 
ments,  was  unhurt  and  now  laughing  in  his 
nurse's  arms  as  she  hurried  back  with  him 
toward  the  temple.  A  few  lingered  to  look 
at  the  lion  stretched  across  their  path  and 
marvel  at  the  skill  that  had  sent  a  shaft  so 
cleanly  through  his  eye,  but  the  greater  por 
tion  of  the  multitude  was  farther  down  the 
road,  where  it  hedged  about  a  slender  and 
embarrassed  boy.  Aman  pushed  his  way 
through  the  throng,  and  Joseph  rushed  to  em 
brace  him. 

"  Take  me  hence,"  he  said  to  the  chief  in  a 
whisper ;  "  I  know  not  what  to  say."  And 
they  were  just  making  their  way  toward 


CT*HE   KISS 

JL       OF   GLORT 


where  Layah  and  Louimma  waited  when  a 
woman,  young  and  beautiful,  burst  through 
the  circle  and  threw  herself  at  Joseph's  feet. 

"  A  mother's  thanks  are  yours,  O  archer," 
she  cried,  kissing  his  sandals,  "  and  well  shall 
my  husband,  captain  of  the  king's  regiment, 
reward  you  for  what  you  have  done  this  day." 

Joseph  stooped  and  lifted  her  gently. 

"  Mine  is  the  joy,  O  wife  of  Potiphar,"  he 
answered,  "  that  my  arrow  has  been  of  service 
to  my  captain.  I  am  of  his  company,  and  but 
an  hour  since  came  back  from  Thebes  beside 
him." 


CHAPTER    X 

The  Story  of  a  Love 

IT  was  the  time  of  the  receding  waters,  but 
canals,  like  silken  threads,  still  wound 
between  the  terraced  banks  on  which 
were  built  the  white  walls  of  the  capital,  and 
the  whole  delta  of  the  Nile  was  one  shallow 
sea  jewelled  with  islands. 

At  the  close  of  the  day's  ceremonies  the 
royal  barge  unfurled  its  painted  sails  and  gave 
the  signal  for  all  Tanis  to  join  the  carnival; 
and  as  the  gayly-bannered  craft  set  out  over 
the  waters  many  of  the  larger  galleys  crowded 
to  the  Nilotic  port  and,  forming  an  argosy 
like  a  glittering  serpent  of  light,  glided  away 
over  the  wine-colored  Mediterranean. 

Joseph  and  Louimma  sent  their  little  papy 
rus  boat  into  a  sheltered  cove  beneath  the  rosy 
marble  wall  of  the  king's  garden.  It  was  al 
most  evening,  and  over  the  cloudless  azure  of 
the  sky  there  came  a  change  so  subtle  that  it 


CJ^HE    KISS 

J.        OF   GLORT 


was  felt  rather  than  seen.  The  air  became  in 
tense,  expectant,  tender;  the  birds  grew  still 
and  the  boy  breathed  softly  and  held  the  oars 
at  rest,  while  shining  drops  ran  down  the 
blades  and  slipped  back  to  the  parent  waters. 
All  nature  seemed  to  listen,  but  there  was  no 
sound.  Only  a  little  cloud  flew  like  a  white 
butterfly  into  the  west ;  another  followed,  and 
its  wings  were  tinged  with  mother-of-pearl; 
but  the  third  was  a  flame,  and  it  set  the  sky 
ablaze  with  glory.  Then,  a  sea  from  out  a 
sea,  the  mist  arose,  and  tender  arms  of  dusk 
bore  the  sun  down  to  its  fragrant  billows ;  and, 
as  the  heavens  blossomed  into  stars,  Louimma 
looked  in  Joseph's  face  and  smiled. 

"  Tell  me,"  she  said,  "  what  did  you  on  the 
galley  of  the  king?  " 

"  Nothing,  in  truth,"  he  replied.  "  There 
was  a  slave  for  every  task.  I  but  shaped  some 
arrow  points  and  strung  a  score  of  the  round 
bows  for  service." 

The  girl's  eyes  kindled  with  enthusiasm. 

"  When  one  of  those  same  arrows  flew  to 
its  mark  to-day,"  she  said,  "  I  knew  whose 


'HE   KISS 
OF  GLORT 


hand  had  sent  it.  Ask  my  father  if  I  did  not 
say :  '  Your  friend  is  here.' ' 

"  The  shaft  was  not  of  those,"  he  answered 
hurriedly.  "  I  dared  not  trust  so  dull  a  mes 
senger  on  so  swift  an  errand.  It  was  the  little 
arrow  that  you  gave  to  me;  and  when  you 
called  there  by  the  highway  it  sped  to  do  your 
bidding." 

Louima  looked  not  ill-pleased,  but  she  lifted 
a  disdainful  shoulder. 

"  Do  they  teach  speechmaking  on  board  a 
hunting  ship  ?  "  she  asked,  laughing  at  him 
with  lid-shaded  eyes.  "  A  score  of  days  ago 
you  knew  not  a  soft  word  to  give  me  for  the 
asking,  and  now  I  warrant  you  might  even  tell 
a  story,  and  show  me,  in  the  telling,  the  purple 
sails  puffed  with  the  northbound  winds,  the 
life  and  color  of  the  ship,  the  play  of  archers, 
the  chase  and  conquest  of  the  river  beasts,  and, 
mayhap,  a  contest  when  two  of  the  great  liz 
ards  strove  together  and  lashed  the  waters  and 
well  nigh  overturned  your  galley  in  their 
strength.  Come,  tell  me  the  tale ! " 


E    KISS 
OF   GLORT 


She  clasped  her  hands  expectantly,  but 
Joseph  answered  : 

"  I  know  not  of  such  happenings." 

"  Did  you  not  hunt  the  crocodile  ?  "  she  de 
manded. 

"  Yes,  with  spears  ;  but  there  was  naught 
of  contest.  It  was  his  to  hide  in  reeds  and 
tremble  in  dark  shallows,  and  ours  to  find  and 
kill.  Then  when  the  Nile  was  red  with  blood 
We  turned  back  for  the  festival." 

"  You  liked  not  the  sport  ?  "  questioned  the 
girl;  and  the  lad  answered: 

"  I  would  save  my  skill  for  a  more  equal 
warfare.  But  of  that  my  captain  pledges  me 
full  measure.  To-morrow  we  set  out  for 
Edom,  for  the  rock  cities  have  sent  no  tribute 
to  this  Pharaoh,  and  I  shall  learn  soldier  craft 
and  forget  the  flocks  and  fields." 

Louimma's  quick  sympathy  caught  the  faint 
quiver  in  the  boyish  voice,  and  after  a  moment 
of  silence  she  said  gently: 

"  Speak  to  me  of  the  ones  you  left  in  the 
tents  beyond  the  river.  What  of  your 
mother?" 


'HE   KISS 
OF  GLORT 


"  She  is  dead,"  Joseph  answered. 

"And  your  father?  Is  he  handsome,  and 
brave,  and  loving  like  mine  ?  " 

"  He  is  old  and  sorrowful,"  the  boy  replied 
with  emotion,  "  and  even  now  he  is  weeping 
for  me  in  Hebron ;  for  my  brothers  doubtless 
told  him  I  was  dead." 

"  Wicked,  cruel  men ! "  cried  the  Arab's 
daughter.  "  Why  did  they  use  you  so  despite- 
fully?" 

"  Because  my  father  loved  me  best  of  all  his 
sons." 

"  That  was,  in  truth,  most  wrong,"  said 
Louimma  judicially.  "  If  my  father  loved 
another  better  than  he  loved  me,  her  Would  I 
put  in  a  pit.  But  why  found  you  so  much 
favor  in  his  sight?  " 

"  He  loved  my  mother  better  than  his  other 
wives." 

"  And  had  other  wives  than  one?  " 

"  Yes." 

Louimma  tossed  her  head. 

"  I  like  not  your  Hebrew  ways,"  she  said 
coldly.  "  But  tell  me,  what  was  her  name?  " 


cr*HE  KISS 

J.        OF   GLORT 


"  Rachel,"  said  the  boy  softly.  "  And  in 
the  vale  of  Haran,  when  morning  was  scat 
tered  on  the  mountains,  he  saw  her  first  as  she 
led  to  the  well  her  flocks.  Oft  have  I  heard 
him  tell  that  she  was  beautiful,  but  I  knew 
not  what  he  meant  until  I  looked  on  you." 

Louimma  caught  and  pulled  a  lotus  blos 
som  from  the  waters  and  tossed  it  with  pretty 
playfulness  to  the  boy. 

"  Thus  do  Egyptians  reward  their  flatter 
ers,"  she  laughed.  "  But  what  said  he  when 
he  met  her  at  the  well  ?  " 

"  I  know  not,"  said  Joseph,  catching  the 
flower  and  turning  his  eyes  from  the  sweeter 
one  that  smiled  upon  him.  "  But  he  rolled 
the  mouthstone  from  the  well  and  let  the 
sheep  in  to  drink,  and  then  —  she  was  his  kins 
woman,  and  he  kissed  her." 

Silence  fell  upon  them.  The  boy  took  up 
the  oars  and  sent  the  little  boat  swiftly  over 
the  waters.  The  yellow  moon  swung  in  the 
bending  sky  ;  a  bulbul  in  the  garden  began  to 
sing. 

"  Well,"  said  Louimma,  "  had  never  shep 
herd  since  a  kinswoman  ?  " 


rHE   KISS 
OF  GLORT 


His  hands  trembled  on  the  oars  that  he  had 
not  the  boldness  to  release.  A  sigh  was  his 
only  answer. 

"  Go  on/'  she  said,  coldly. 

"  He  loved  her  even  then ;  and  afterwards 
he  served  her  father  Laban  seven  years  that  in 
the  end  she  might  be  given  him.  But  it  was 
not  so.  She  was  the  younger,  and  to  fulfill 
the  law  it  was  her  sister,  Leah,  that  my  father 
took  to  wife." 

"  The  heart  of  a  man  is  wide,"  said  Lou- 
imma  scornfully.  "  Loved  he  this  Leah, 
too?" 

Joseph  resented  her  tone,  and  answered 
moodily : 

"  Must  not  a  man  obey  one  older  than  him 
self,  and  in  authority  ?  " 

But  Louimma  made  answer  quickly : 

"  Nay,  I  think  not  so.  In  the  tents  we 
have  no  law  but  love." 

"  Was  not  this  love  ?  My  father  did  not 
sit  and  weep.  He  said  to  Laban :  '  Lo,  I  will 
serve  you  still  another  seven  years,  so  I  may 
have  the  maiden/  ' 

9 


>HE  KISS 

OF  GLORr 


Louimma  counted  on  her  fingers,  and  ex 
claimed  : 

"  Twice  seven  years.  Two  more  than  I 
have  numbered  in  my  life.  I  like  not  your 
Hebrew  patience! " 

And  now  the  galleys  returning  from  the 
moon-gilded  sea  began  to  discharge  their  pas 
sengers  at  the  great  wharf,  and  smaller  craft 
glided  to  the  foot  of  the  temple's  steps  or 
waited  at  the  water  gates  of  palaces  for  the 
people  to  go  ashore.  The  Arab  chief  and 
Layah  disembarked,  and  the  little  mother  at 
once  began  to  look  about  for  Louimma ;  but 
Aman  was  unconcerned. 

"  It  is  well  with  the  girl,"  he  said.  "  I  left 
her  in  the  care  of  our  young  lion  slayer.  But 
listen,  and  you  will  hear  her  answer  to  my  call, 
even  as  I  taught  her  beyond  Engannin." 

He  walked  to  the  edge  of  the  waters  and 
sent  a  note  like  an  owl's  cry  across  them. 
Scarcely  had  the  sound  ceased  when  it  was 
repeated  with  the  exactness  of  an  echo,  and  in 
a  few  moments  the  little  boat  came  scudding 
to  the  quay.  Louimma  rose  to  her  feet,  but 


rHE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


while  the  papyrus  shell  rocked  under  her  sud 
den  motion,  perilously,  Aman  caught  her  in 
his  arms,  and  Joseph  had  just  time  to  leap 
ashore  before  the  boat  turned  over  among 
the  lilies. 

"  My  daughter  has  more  knowledge  of  the 
desert  ship,"  said  Aman,  smiling  at  the  aston 
ished  looks  of  the  young  people.  "  You  have 
but  escaped  a  moonlight  bath  in  Nilus." 

They  turned  toward  the  palace  of  Apepi, 
Louimma  walking  with  her  arm  about  her 
mother  and  Aman  striding  behind  them  with 
the  boy ;  and  as  they  neared  the  flight  of  mar 
ble  steps  which  led  to  the  carved  columns  of 
the  great  portal,  a  trumpeter,  attended  by 
torch-bearers,  came  out  of  the  hall  and 
sounded  a  vigorous  note  on  the  instrument  he 
carried.  The  crowds  rilling  the  various  streets 
turned  as  with  one  accord  and  pressed  toward 
the  royal  building. 

"  What  means  that  ?  "  questioned  Layah, 
turning  around  to  look  at  her  husband.  But 
the  chief  answered: 

"  It  is  the  summons  to  his  army  from  the 


OF   GLORT 


king.  The  herald  will  speak  when  the  people 
are  assembled." 

Again  the  note  fell  upon  them.  But  this 
time  it  was  to  insure  silence;  and  then  a  sol 
dier,  wearing  a  helmet  of  gold  and  a  breast 
plate  of  the  same  metal  over  his  tunic  of  tiger 
skin,  stepped  forward  with  a  gesture  to  com 
mand  attention. 

"  Listen !  It  is  my  captain,"  whispered 
Joseph  proudly. 

"  Know,  O  people  of  Mizraim,"  said  the 
soldier,  "  that  our  great  king,  son  of  the  sun 
and  lord  of  the  double  crown,  has  this  day 
been  offended.  His  subjects  in  the  red  hills 
to  the  eastward  have  sent  no  tribute  to  his 
festival — no  embassy  to  join  the  praise  that 
he  has  earned  from  heaven  for  his  goodness. 
So  must  his  right  arm  strike.  And  I,  Poti- 
phar,  in  his  name,  command  the  army  to  be 
armed  and  waiting,  every  man  to  his  own  regi 
ment  and  company,  in  this  place  at  the  hour 
of  dawn.  To-morrow  night  we  pitch  our 
camp  far  in  the  wilderness." 

Joseph  laid  his  hands  on  the  shoulders  of 
the  tall  chief. 


CTHE    KISS 

±        OF   GLORT 


"  It  is  my  call  to  arms,  O  friend  of  my 
heart,"  he  said.  "  But  when  shall  I  again  see 
you?" 

Layah  laid  her  little  ringers  on  his  breast. 

"  In  the  tents  of  Kedar,  O  soldier,"  she  re 
plied.  "  We  shall  look  up  each  time  the  cur 
tains  sway,  expecting  you  to  enter." 

"  Not  so,"  said  Louimma.  "  He  will  never 
come,"  and  she  turned  away.  But  the  boy 
went  over  and  stood  beside  her. 

"  I  will  come,"  he  said  brokenly.  "  Lou 
imma,  little  one " 

A  soldier  pressed  through  the  throng  and 
called : 

"  I  seek  the  archer,  Dath,  of  Arabia.  His 
captain  desires  him  to  report  to  him  in  all 
speed." 

Joseph  dropped  the  girl's  soft  hand  and  an 
swered  eagerly,  "  I  am  he."  And  followed 
him  without  a  further  word. 


CHAPTER   XI 

Helmets  of  War 

ANOTHER  spectacle  greeted  the  eye 
of  the  sun  when  he  next  shone  on 
Tanis.     But  the  heads  bowed  to  do 
him  homage  were  covered  not  with  the  roses 
of  festival  but  the  helmets  of  war. 

The  great  public  square  fronting  Pharaoh's 
palace  in  the  north  end  of  the  city  was  filled 
with  soldiers,  and  when  the  sun  had  risen  and 
the  prayers  of  the  priests  for  victory  had 
been  made,  the  marvellous  discipline  which 
made  the  army  of  the  king  feared  and  re 
spected  everywhere  began  to  assert  itself. 
Under  the  sharp  commands  of  the  trumpets 
the  mass  of  humanity  separated  but  to  become 
compact  again,  classified  into  companies,  regi 
ments,  and  battalions,  which  were  no  sooner 
formed  than  they  were  moved  with  dispatch 
and  order  to  make  way  for  more.  The  in 
fantry  was  composed  of  slingers  and  wielders 


rHE   KISS 
OF  GLORT 


oi  the  club  and  spear,  but  the  archers  were 
in  chariots,  while  the  javelin  throwers  and 
swordsmen  were  mounted  on  beautiful,  well- 
trained  chargers  that  understood  and  gloried 
in  the  service  of  the  king.  Every  company 
bore  its  standard,  and  every  warrior  wore 
upon  his  breast  his  badge  of  loyalty  to  Pha 
raoh  —  two  lions  engraved  upon  a  medal  and 
suspended  from  his  neck  by  a  chain. 

From  his  window  over  the  great  entrance 
the  king  watched  the  assembly.  But  when 
the  troops  were  ready  for  the  march  he  de 
scended,  and  with  him  walked  the  crown 
prince,  with  his  young  breast  swelling  under 
a  battle  shield.  For  a  moment  there  was  si 
lence  among  the  hosts,  then,  as  the  under 
standing  flashed  upon  them,  a  mighty  cheer 
arose  and  every  soldier  bent  the  knee,  while 
Mentu,  the  prince,  smiled  in  boyish  enthu 
siasm  and  shook  back  the  covered  curl  which 
hung  at  the  left  side  of  his  head,  a  token  of 
his  youth  and  inexperience.  A  stirring  note 
from  the  trumpet  called  every  ear  to  hear  the 


roX  CT'HE    KISS 


OF    GLORT 


words   of   Pharaoh,  who  now  stood  before 
them  on  the  top  of  the  flight  of  marble  steps. 

The  last  of  the  Hyksos  kings  was  at  this 
time  a  man  of  forty  and  in  the  height  of  his 
power  and  popularity.  His  military  achieve 
ments  had  added  much  to  the  possessions  of 
the  double  kingdoms,  and  the  soldiers  who 
had  made  his  victories  possible  adored  him  as 
the  sun — an  affection  not  displeasing  to  the 
king,  who  lacked  neither  courage  nor  vanity. 
In  fact,  notwithstanding  his  shepherd  origin, 
he  claimed  to  be  the  son  of  the  lord  of  the 
heavens.  He  dressed  in  garments  embroidered 
with  the  solar  disk  and  wore  over  his  shaven 
head  a  wig  of  enormous  size  composed  of 
spun  gold.  On  his  head  was  the  tall  crown 
of  the  two  Egypts,  and  the  serpent  diadem 
bound  the  smooth  brow  of  the  boy,  who  was 
clad  in  the  short  garment  and  mail  of  a  sol 
dier. 

The  thousands  in  the  street  stood  waiting; 
in  all  the  great  company  not  a  sword  clanked 
or  wheel  moved.  Even  the  horses  turned  their 
proud  heads  and  asking  eyes  around  toward 


rHJ 
OF   GLORT 


the  king.  Then  spoke  the  ruler,  and  his  voice 
was  heard  in  all  the  place : 

"  Defenders  and  keepers  of  Mizraim,  I, 
Apepi,  son  of  the  sun  and  lord  of  the  two 
kingdoms,  make  you  to-day  my  treasurers. 
My  first-born  goes  to  fight  with  you  against 
the  insulters  of  his  father;  but  he  has  not  felt 
the  shock  and  roar  of  battle;  he  knows  not 
what  it  is  to  see  men  die " 

The  voice  of  the  king  faltered  and  failed, 
and,  as  one,  the  hearts  of  his  troopers  trem 
bled.  But  he  rallied  and  laid  his  arm  around 
the  young  shoulders,  and  looked  out  some 
what  eagerly  over  the  crowd  as  one  who  had 
suddenly  gained  comfort. 

"  I  have  called  you  my  treasurers,  O  my 
people,"  he  continued,  "  and  there  are  father 
hearts  among  you  beating  in  measure  with 
this  heart  of  mine,  that  you  have  never 
known  afraid  till  now.  But  kings  must  learn 
the  arts  of  war  as  well  as  other  men,  and  he  I 
hold  most  dear  goes  with  your  troops."  He 
hesitated,  and  then  called :  "  I  command  the 
youth  who  slew  the  lion  with  his  arrow  yes- 


138  T 


HE    KISS 
OF   GLORT 


terday  to  ride  in  the  chariot  with  the  prince 
and  use  his  bow  as  cunningly  in  his  welfare 
in  the  time  of  battle  as  he  used  it  in  the  ser 
vice  of  my  captain,  Potiphar,  at  the  festival." 

His  eyes  searched  the  phalanxed  ranks,  and 
in  a  moment  a  young  man  ran  out  into  the 
open  space  and  saluted  silently. 

"  Are  you  the  lad?  "  asked  Pharoah,  bend 
ing  forward  with  a  keen  look  at  the  fair  face ; 
and  the  son  of  Aman  bowed  his  answer. 

"  It  is  well,"  said  the  king,  with  a  gesture 
of  dismissal;  and  as  Joseph  stepped  back 
among  the  chariots  the  trumpeter  standing  at 
the  monarch's  side  rang  out  the  stirring  sig 
nal  for  the  march.  There  was  some  necessary 
manoeuvring  of  the  troops  to  permit  the 
chariots  and  horsemen  to  go  in  advance,  and 
then,  line  upon  line,  the  foot  soldiers  followed 
to  the  sound  of  the  trumpets  and  long  drums, 
and  the  sharp  urgings  of  double  pipes  and  hol 
low  reeds  played  by  the  numerous  bands. 

Tanis  occupied  the  marshy  eastern  side  of 
the  delta  near  the  frontier  of  Asia,  and  from 
there  the  road  of  the  Philistians  led  in  a 


"HE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


straight  line  to  Palusiam  and  the  south  of 
Palestine,  edging  for  a  little  distance  on  one 
side  the  Mediterranean  and  leaving  to  the 
right  the  lofty  fortress  rock  El-Arish,  on  the 
waterless  river  of  Egypt. 

There  were  no  women  or  children  to  line 
the  highway  with  farewells.  The  king  for 
bade  the  custom  lest  the  tears  of  women 
should  make  cowards  of  his  generals.  But 
many  casements  stirred  when  the  army  passed 
beneath  them,  and  once,  as  it  rumbled  by  the 
high  priest's  house,  into  the  golden  chariot  of 
the  king's  son  fell  a  rose.  The  prince  caught 
and  kissed  it,  and  Joseph  saw  his  cheek  grow 
red  and  pale.  But  his  own  name  was  softly 
called  just  then,  and  out  from  a  lattice  waved 
a  little  sun-stained  hand.  He  turned  from 
the  prince's  rose  to  the  hidden  one  above  him. 
He  felt  her  sway  toward  him,  but  he  could 
not  see. 

"  Louimma,"  he  breathed.  "  Louimma,  we 
shall  meet  in  Kedar's  tents." 

"  No  " — the  word  came  with  a  sob — "  you 
will  not  come." 


CT>HE   KISS 

-L        OF   GLORT 


The  chariot  moved  on,  and  the  eyes  of  the 
prince  and  the  shepherd  met  in  sympathy. 

Aman,  the  Arab,  stood  at  the  end  of  the 
avenue  of  winged  sphinxes  which  marked  the 
limits  of  the  city;  a  tall  and  magnificent  figure 
in  his  gracefully  adjusted  mantle  of  striped 
scarlet  and  yellow  and  his  snow-white  turban. 
As  the  royal  chariot  approached  he  leaned 
forward  eagerly,  and  Mentu  said: 

"  Who  is  that  man  ?  A  king  of  some  of  the 
eastern  provinces,  I  wager  you,  sir  archer." 

"  A  chief,  O  prince,"  Joseph  answered. 
"  Lord  of  Arabia  and  her  hearts  and  hoofs.  I 
would  speak  with  him." 

He  sprung  from  the  chariot  and  into  the 
chief's  embrace,  and  for  a  moment  neither 
spoke.  Then  the  Arab  said: 

"  Go,  my  son.  Princes  do  not  wait  with 
patience.  But  know  you  whom  you  go  to 
fight  against?  I  thought  not.  Then  listen  to 
me,  and  when  in  Edom  you  think  to  send  one 
of  those  swift  arrows  toward  the  white-haired 
king,  remember  that  I  bade  you  keep  it  in  its 
sheath.  For  he  is  Esau,  and  his  sorrows  have 
been  not  different  from  your  own." 


rHE   KISS 
OF  GLORT 


"My  uncle?"  Joseph  questioned  breath 
lessly. 

"  Yes.  To-morrow  I  go  back  to  Gilead, 
but  I  shall  have  a  son  in  the  fields  of  war  to 
give  my  name  new  honors.  You  will  not 
forget  that — nor  shall  I." 

He  gave  the  boy  a  long  look  and  a  quick 
embrace,  and  Joseph  ran  back  and  leaped  into 
the  chariot. 

"  I  remember  now,"  said  the  prince.  "  It 
was  he  who  stood  with  you  at  the  galley's  side 
when  you  went  with  my  hunting  company 
down  the  river.  He  is  your  father.  No  mar 
vel  that  you  spoke  so  proudly  of  his  countless 
spears." 

"  He  is  the  greatest  bowman  in  the  desert 
and  beyond  it,  and  yet  a  man  of  peace.  But 
even  as  the  tigers  and  the  horned  horses  of 
the  river  tremble  before  him,  so  would  his 
enemies ;  for  at  his  call  the  sand  would  spring 
to  life,  each  little  separate  grain  a  soldier,  and 
the  thunder  of  his  hoofs  would  shake  the 
world." 

The  prince  frowned.      And  the  shepherd 


cr>HE  KISS 

-L        OF   GLORT 


saw  that  his  old  fault  of  boasting  was  likely  to 
get  him  into  new  difficulties.  But  he  was  not 
a  courtier,  and  could  but  keep  silence. 

The  prince  drew  his  mantle  across  his  breast 
with  the  royal  gesture  of  displeasure,  but  sud 
denly  his  look  changed,  for  the  dewy  petals  of 
a  rose  had  touched  his  fingers.  He  drew  the 
flower  from  his  breastplate  and  laid  it  in  the 
hollow  of  his  hand. 

"You  saw  it  when  it  fell,  O  archer?"  he 
questioned. 

Joseph  bowed  in  answer. 

"  But  I  warrant  you  saw  not  the  hand  that 
tossed  it  in  my  chariot,  or  even  dreamed  of  so 
much  tenderness  as  veiled  the  eyes  that  saw 
me  ride  to  my  first  conquests.  Hear  me, 
Dath  of  Arabia.  If  I  make  mighty  war 
against  these  foes  and  plant  the  standard  of 
the  hawk  in  Sela,  I  will  stand  before  my  lord 
the  king  and  say :  '  Give  me  the  maid  for  my 
reward,  for  there  is  naught  else  in  all  your 
kingdom  that  I  covet.' ' 

"  And  will  not  Pharaoh  grant  your  prayer 
without  the  price  of  battles  ?  "  asked  Joseph. 


rHE   KISS 
OF   GLORr 


The  prince  bent  toward  his  questioner  and 
spoke  low. 

"  To-night  will  I  tell  you  the  story.  Be 
tween  the  tremble  of  my  heart  and  the  jolting 
of  the  chariot  one  word  might  leap  as  far  as 
the  ears  of  a  spy.  But  I  like  you  well,  and 
will  have  none  other  with  me  in  my  pavilion* 
Moreover,  I  shall  gain  some  comfort  from 
you;  for,  if  I  mistook  not,  I  heard  another 
whisper  from  a  casement  as  we  passed  that  was 
not  meant  for  me." 

Leaving  Egypt  with  considerable  force,  the 
king's  army  was  able  to  make  good  time 
across  the  corner  of  Philistia  and  eastward  to 
ward  the  enemies'  country,  which  lay  south  of 
the  Dead  Sea  and  to  the  north  of  the  gulf  of 
Akaba.  Two  days'  travel  brought  the 
mounted  troops  and  the  chariots  up  to  the 
shelter  of  the  first  jagged  range  of  limestone 
hills,  which  edged  the  desert  of  Shur  and 
stood  like  a  wall  broken  by  narrow  ravines 
between  the  army  and  the  unconscious  Edom- 
ites. 

The  sound  of  the  battle-cars  and  horses 


CT*HE   KISS 

J.       OF    GLORT 


had  been  muffled  by  the  soft  sand,  and  the  ap 
proach  of  the  Egyptians  was  wholly  unnoticed 
by  the  people  of  Sela.  So  the  first  arrivals 
went  into  camp  under  the  hills,  and  by  sunset 
a  city  of  bright  pavilions  was  ready  for  the 
officers  and  horses.  A  few  adventurers,  im 
patient  for  the  battle  morning,  threaded  the 
ravines  and  spied  upon  the  city;  but  these 
were  not  acting  under  orders,  and  their  depre 
dations  and  punishments  alike  fell  on  their 
own  heads.  For  the  most  part  the  camp  was 
in  perfect  order,  and  when  the  first  soft  dark 
ness  fell  Joseph  was  in  the  young  prince's  tent. 

The  pavilion  arranged  for  Pharaoh's  son 
was  an  ample  room  with  walls  of  silk  covered 
with  a  canopy  of  the  imperial  purple  and  fur 
nished  with  articles  brought  in  a  cart  drawn 
by  white  oxen  from  the  capital.  The  tent- 
dweller  was  amazed  to  see  the  cumbersome 
furniture  of  the  apartment,  but  he  refrained 
from  speaking  of  it,  for  he  saw  his  royal  host 
was  impatient  to  begin  his  confidence. 

"  Sit  here,"  said  the  prince,  pointing  to  a 
low  divan,  "  and  tell  me  have  you  ever  loved 
a  maid?  " 


^ 
OF   GLORT  -145 

For  a  moment  Joseph  could  make  no  an 
swer.  Then  something  unspoken  and  un- 
guessed  before  rose  from  his  heart  to  his  lips, 
and  left  upon  them  the  single  whisper,  "  Yes." 

"  That  thought  I,"  said  the  other  boy,  with 
every  evidence  of  satisfaction.  But  Joseph 
did  not  hear.  His  pulses  trampled  like  wild 
steeds,  freed  by  the  word  he  had  uttered. 

"  That  is  why  I  shall  tell  you.  For  a  man 
must  speak  his  thoughts  to  some  one,  and  my 
father  will  not  listen  and  my  mother  weeps  at 
the  first  word  I  say  of  Asenath." 

"  But  she,  will  she  not  hear?  "  Joseph  asked. 

"  She  has  not  yet.  But  that  is  the  way  of 
maids,"  answered  the  prince.  "  Besides,  they 
have  shut  her  in  an  upper  chamber,  and  she 
cannot  see  me  or  even  send  a  message  by  a 
slave.  That  is  the  fault  I  find  with  kingliness 
— one  cannot  have  his  own  way.  But  once  I 
win  a  victory  I  will  say : '  Give  me  the  maid  to 
wife,  for  I  will  have  no  other ;  and  I  will  have 
her  with  my  crown  if  may  be,  but  without  it  if 
I  must.'"  " 

"  So  would  I  do,  too,"  replied  the  shepherd, 

10 


146  T 


HE   KISS 
OF    GLORT 


with  sudden  conviction.  "  But  why  should 
the  king,  your  father,  deny  you  what  you 
want?  Is  the  maid  not  beautiful?  " 

"  As  the  morning." 

"And  good?" 

"  But  for  her  the  altars  of  the  sun  might 
grow  cold.  She  and  her  maidens  attend  the 
fires  and  heap  them  with  incense.  Her  father 
is  the  high  priest  of  Mizraim.  A  holy  man, 
but  with  not  so  much  liking  as  he  should  have 
for  his  prince.  But  speak  and  tell  me,  why 
should  the  matter  trouble  the  king  or  the 
priest,  O  son  of  the  desert,  if  it  pleases  me?  " 

Joseph  was  about  to  reply,  when  there  was 
a  sudden  sound  of  commotion  in  the  camp, 
and  with  one  impulse  the  two  young  men 
rushed  to  the  curtains  and  drew  them  aside. 
The  night  had  grown  suddenly  dark  and  they 
could  see  nothing;  but  they  heard  flying 
hoofs,  hoarse  laughter,  and  the  clank  of  mail. 


CHAPTER    XII 

The  End  of  the  Torch  Race 

OF  all  the  houses  built  in  honor  of  the 
sun,  not  one  he  shone  upon  was 
greater  than  the  temple  made  at 
Sela.  For  the  builders,  disdaining  the  walls 
reared  by  man,  hollowed  out  a  mountain  for 
their  place  of  worship  and  set  beneath  its 
carved  and  fluted  columns  altars  of  gold  em 
blazoned  with  the  solar  disk  and  furnished 
with  sacred  vessels  of  surpassing  splendor. 
The  ground  space  of  this  temple  was  a  square 
of  three  hundred  and  three  feet  each  way,  and 
from  the  lowest  depression  in  the  floor  to  the 
apex  of  the  copper-framed  glass  dome  it  was 
exactly  the  same  in  height. 

This  was  the  heart  of  the  city;  but  the 
dwellings  were  constructed  in  like  manner, 
and  instead  of  bringing  blocks  of  granite  from 
the  quarries  the  people  honeycombed  the 
sandstone  of  the  hills  and  hewed  palaces  and 


148 


Cj^HE   KISS 

J-       OF   GLORT 


theatres  out  of  the  solid  rock.  Mount  Seir 
was  their  fortress  and  town.  Its  back  to  the 
Dead  Sea  and  frowning  front  toward  Miz- 
raim;  and  its  approaches  were  defended  by 
walls  of  masonry  of  tremendous  strength  and 
thickness,  beyond  which  a  tract  of  consider 
able  extent  was  reclaimed  from  the  desert  and 
converted  into  pleasure  grounds.  For  the 
cliff-dwelling  subjects  of  Prince  Esau  de 
lighted  in  athletic  contests  and  prowess  in 
arms.  Their  fortified  towns  were  not  suited 
to  chariot  races  and  running  horses,  but  the 
edge  of  the  wilderness  nearest  them  was 
smoothed  for  these  purposes,  and  while  Tanis 
was  celebrating  the  erection  of  the  seventh 
obelisk,  Sela  was  indulging  in  games  of  skill 
and  contests  of  strength  and  swiftness — con 
tests  in  which  the  men,  women,  and  chil 
dren  had  equal  share.  And  while  men  raced 
horses  brought  from  Asia,  little  boys  yoked 
mice  to  tiny  battle-cars  and  wagered  them 
against  their  fellows  doughtily.  Young  girls 
equalled  their  brothers  in  feats  of  endurance 
and  agility,  and  a  portion  of  each  day's  enter- 


'HE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


tainment  was  given  over  to  them.  In  the 
morning  they  played  ball,  the  victor  mounted 
on  the  back  of  her  unfortunate  companion 
who  had  made  a  bad  throw  or  failed  to  catch 
the  sphere  as  it  was  thrown  toward  her,  or 
otherwise  made  herself  subject  to  a  forfeit. 
It  was  an  amusing  spectacle  to  see  one  of  the 
pretty,  active  players  bow  down  on  her  hands 
and  knees  to  be  a  horse  for  the  one  who  had 
distanced  her  in  the  game,  and  the  people  al 
ways  greeted  it  with  shouts  of  laughter,  which 
turned  against  the  mounted  maiden  if  her 
steed  succeeded  in  throwing  her  off.  These 
girls  were  fairer  than  the  Egyptians,  and 
many  had  light  hair  which  fell  in  great  lengths 
over  the  petticoats  of  richly-dyed  linen  which 
they  wore. 

The  final  day  of  the  tournament  closed  with 
a  woman  torch-race  on  horseback. 

It  was  nearly  evening  when  a  score  of  the 
young  princesses  and  ladies  of  Edom  came 
down  the  hewn  steps  in  the  side  of  the  moun 
tain  attired  in  flowing  garments  of  white  and 
attended  by  their  black  slave  women ;  and  as  the 


IE    KISS 
OF    GLORT 


little  procession  reached  the  lower  gates  they 
were  met  by  their  horses — each  steed  as  white 
as  the  snows  of  distant  Hermon  and  capari 
soned  with  tassels  and  ornaments  of  glistening 
stones  and  cloths  of  gold  and  silver.  These 
beautiful  Arabians  were  the  pride  of  the  old 
prince,  and  only  left  his  stables  on  occasions 
of  unusual  splendor;  and  the  Nubians  who 
now  held  them  strove  hard  to  keep  them  in 
check  until  the  light,  well-trained  hands  of 
their  riders  should  subdue  and  guide  them. 
One  by  one  they  were  led  rearing  and  cavort 
ing  to  the  place  where  each  girl,  catching  at 
once  at  mane  and  saddle-horn,  leaped  up  and 
rode  as  a  lotus  rides  a  crested  storm-wave 
in  the  saltless  sea — neither  yielding  nor  op 
posing,  but  conforming  to  its  humor  until  it 
changes  and  becomes  calm. 

Rhoda,  the  granddaughter  of  the  old  prince, 
sat  her  horse  with  the  lightness  of  thistle 
down.  She  was  fairer  than  all  the  maids  of 
Edom,  and  her  tawny  hair,  bound  by  a  narrow 
band  of  gold,  hung  to  the  pink-soled,  unshod 
feet  that  caressed  the  sides  of  the  charger. 


HE    KISS 
OF   GLORT 


Her  left  hand  held  the  reins;  and  when  the 
maidens  were  all  mounted  and  ready,  the 
slaves  ran  up  with  slender  silver  torches, 
which  blossomed  into  lilies  of  flame.  The  prin 
cess  caught  hers  and  held  it  aloft,  and  the 
others  followed  her  example  as  they  ranged 
their  horses  in  a  line  and  held  them  neck  and 
neck,  waiting  the  signal  for  the  start. 

The  course  was  an  oblong  track  two  miles 
in  circumference,  in  the  centre  of  which  was 
a  grove  of  palms  and  acacia  trees  and  various 
plants  and  flowering  shrubs  brought  from  a 
more  fertile  region.  This  wooded  spot,  kept 
in  eternal  bloom  by  its  artificial  pools  and  foun 
tains,  had  one  serious  defect  —  it  completely 
obscured  the  western  side  of  the  racecourse 
from  the  spectators,  and  they  were  not  able 
to  follow  their  favorites  but  two-thirds  of  the 
way  around.  Farther  to  the  west  and  north 
of  this  constructed  road  sharp  crags  of  lime 
stone  rose  like  a  bulwark  to  the  wilderness 
that  stretched  to  the  not  distant  Nile. 

The  night  was  fair  and  soft,  and  trembling 
into  a  dusk  so  faint  that  the  torches  shone  but 


152 


palely  yellow.  From  the  tower  above  the  gate 
a  trumpet  blew,  and  a  master  of  the  sports 
came  forth  to  announce  the  character  of  the 
race  and  its  prize — the  last  to  be  a  bridle-rein 
of  pearls  for  the  first  rider  to  strike  her  torch, 
aflame,  on  the  gate  of  the  city  after  making 
the  circuit  of  the  course.  The  difficulty  was 
in  keeping  the  light  burning  during  its  swift 
journey  through  the  air,  and  not  a  few  of  the 
girls  made  the  start  but  to  return  with  their 
torches  extinguished,  when  at  last  the  trumpet 
sounded  the  stirring  signal  for  the  run. 

The  spectators  filling  the  space  between  the 
walls  and  the  road  and  dotting  the  sides  of  the 
mountain  made  eager  wagers  with  each  other 
on  the  result  of  the  contest. 

"  My  strongest  slave  against  your  weakest 
one,  O  friend,"  said  a  citizen  to  his  fellow, 
"  that  the  lady  Rhoda  rides  first  with  her 
plume  of  fire  to  the  goal." 

"  I  will  make  no  wager  on  the  maid,"  cried 
a  young  man,  laughing ;  "  for  if  the  wind 
blows  out  her  torch  she  has  but  to  light  it  with 
her  hair." 


rHE   KISS  ___ 

O.F   GLORT  153 


"  But  see  the  little  one  from  Reuel's  house 
hold,"  said  another.  "  She  has  a  cunning 
trick  in  holding  hers  to  elude  the  breeze.  I 
warrant  she  will  fly  at  the  head  of  the  white 
flock  homeward." 

It  was  a  brilliant,  colorful  multitude  which 
watched  the  contests  from  the  eastern  side  of 
the  pleasure  ground  below  the  mountain-built 
palaces  of  Sela.  Esau,  the  ruler  of  the  whole 
country  of  Edom,  occupied  a  throne  carved  in 
the  solid  rock  of  the  hillside,  and  he  was  sur 
rounded  by  the  officers  of  his  court  and  the 
women  of  the  viceregal  household.  The  lat 
ter  were  dressed  in  silks  of  purple  and  rose 
color,  elaborately  embroidered  and  falling 
from  shoulder-clasps  to  feet  in  the  graceful 
fashion  of  the  time.  The  men  wore  short 
tunics  of  linen  and  the  soldiers  were  distin 
guished  by  the  round  shields  of  silver-studded 
oxhide  and  curious  helmets  of  copper  set  with 
branching  horns  on  each  side  of  their  fore 
heads.  Some  of  these  warriors  carried  their 
spears  and  battle-clubs  in  their  hands ;  but  for 
the  most  part  they  were  unarmed  and  in  holi- 


CT'HE    KISS 

-L     OF  GLORT 


day  humor.  Esau,  the  brother  of  Jacob,  was 
an  old  man  now,  but  he  was  ever  interested  in 
the  pleasures  of  his  people,  and  as  he  watched 
the  games  the  keen  eyes  under  his  shaggy 
white  brows  sparkled  merrily. 

At  the  first  note  of  the  trumpet  the  horses 
swept  between  the  thousands  who  cheered 
them,  and  with  superb  freedom  in  every  move 
ment  swung  into  the  course.  There  was  at 
the  start  the  usual  flutter  of  uncertainty 
among  the  riders.  Some  of  the  torches  flared 
and  went  out,  and  as  the  maidens  who  had 
carried  them  turned  back  out  of  the  running 
the  steeds  closed  ranks  with  the  precision  of 
troopers,  neither  swerving  or  hesitating,  but 
keeping  gallantly  in  place.  The  judges'  stand 
faced  the  exact  centre  of  the  eastern  side  of  the 
oblong  and  marked  the  beginning  of  the  race 
course,  and  the  girls  rode  to  the  north  until, 
with  gradually  increasing  speed,  they  swept 
around  the  curve  and  down  the  western  side, 
and  were  soon  lost  to  sight  behind  the  grove 
which  lay  between  them  and  their  observers. 
Singly  and  by  twos  and  threes  the  maidens 


rHE    KISS 
OF    GLORT 


whose  torches  had  been  extinguished  by  the 
rush  rode  back  amid  the  good-natured  raillery 
of  the  people,  until  but  three  remained  of  the 
score  who  had  entered  the  contest,  and  for 
their  appearance  all  eyes  were  turned  expec 
tantly  toward  the  southern  end  of  the  race 
course.  The  amber  dusk  had  changed  and 
deepened,  and  now  the  stars  and  the  torches 
put  on  new  and  sudden  brilliance.  The  bet 
ting  ceased  in  the  field,  and  up  in  the  pavilion 
the  judges  bent  forward  with  smiling  and 
eager  interest  as  the  rhythmic  beat  of  the 
hoofs  of  the  steeds  came  up  from  the  farther 
track.  The  people  stopped  laughing  and  lis 
tened,  and  men  swung  their  children  to  their 
shoulders  to  give  them  first  sight  of  the 
torches  as  they  would  sweep  down  the  home 
stretch.  Every  ear  was  strained  to  hear  the 
music  of  voice  and  the  rhyme  of  hoof;  every 
eye  to  catch  the  glimpse  of  the  oncoming 
lights  and  the  flutter  of  white  garments  in  the 
purple  darkness;  every  throat  ached  with  im 
prisoned  cheers. 

Then   there    was    a    sudden,    bewildering 


156  T 


HE   KISS 
OF    GLORT 


clatter  and  clang  of  mailed  hoofs  among  the 
soft-falling  feet  of  the  desert  horses;  a 
woman's  shrill  cry  borne  high  above  the 
grove  of  dancing;  and  after  that  silence, 
followed  by  the  mad  gallop  of  a  single  horse, 
nearer,  nearer,  and  more  near,  until  around 
the  curve  at  wild  speed,  torchless,  clinging  to 
her  charger's  neck,  and  with  unbound  hair 
streaming  and  snapping  in  the  breeze,  came 
Mirza,  daughter  of  Reuel,  crying  with  white 
lips: 

"  The  Egyptians !  The  Egyptians  are  upon 
us!" 

For  a  moment  following  the  breathless  cry 
there  was  silence,  while  the  girl  lay  trembling 
on  her  horse's  neck.  Then  a  woman  caught 
up  her  child  and  ran  for  the  gates,  and  imme 
diately  the  multitude,  crowding,  struggling, 
and  half  wild  with  terror,  rushed  for  the  same 
refuge.  But  before  the  women  and  children  had 
been  trampled  under  the  feet  of  their  panic- 
stricken  companions,  a  golden-throated  trum 
pet  commanded  attention,  and  from  his  throne 


E   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


on  the  wall  the  old  prince  arose  and  stood 
among  his  light-bearers. 

"  Shame,  O  my  people  !  "  he  called  sternly. 
"  Have  I  nourished  cowards  in  my  hills  to 
flee  at  the  name  of  Egypt?  Let  all  the  armed 
men  fall  to  the  rear  and  guard  the  others,  who 
may  come  quietly  and  without  haste  into  the 
city.  And  I,  Esau,  warn  you,  if  any  man 
seeks  his  own  safety  at  cost  of  his  neighbor, 
or  in  any  way  hinders  or  overthrows  the  aged 
or  weak,  let  him  seek  mercy  from  the  Egyp 
tians  rather  than  from  me.  Now,  to  your 
homes  ;  my  generals  will  meet  me  in  the  coun 
cil  chamber,  that  Edom  may  be  ready  for 
to-morrow's  battle." 

Even  as  he  spoke  the  confusion  ceased,  and 
the  soldiers  and  others  who  wore  arms  made 
their  way  to  the  outer  edge  of  the  grounds 
and  formed  into  an  orderly  line  behind  the 
assembly.  And  in  a  few  moments  the  crowd, 
moving  slowly  and  without  fear,  passed  into 
the  great  gates. 

Reuel  had  been  first  to  reach  the  girl  when 
her  panting  steed  stopped  by  the  stand  of  the 


judges;  and  he  caught  her  to  his  breast  and 
held  her  for  a  moment  without  a  word.  Then 
he  said: 

"  Speak,  little  one ;  your  father's  arms  are 
about  you.  What  of  the  Princess  Rhoda  and 
Elma,  the  daughter  of  Omar?  " 

"  They  are  captives  in  the  camp  of  Pha 
raoh's  soldiers,"  she  answered,  raising  her 
head.  "  Half  way  around  the  course  behind 
the  trees  in  the  grove  of  dancing,  they  rode 
from  a  ravine  and  surrounded  us  before  we 
heard  so  much  as  the  fall  of  a  hoof.  One  sol 
dier  caught  my  bridle,  but  I  struck  him  full 
across  his  eyes  with  my  blazing  torch,  and 
as  he  reeled  and  loosed  his  hold  this  brave 
horse  broke  away  and  brought  me  here.  I 
thought  at  first  they  followed  me,  but  the 
sound  was  only  the  gallop  of  my  heart.  They 
laughed  and  rode  back  to  the  desert." 

Reuel's  brow  was  anxious  as  he  gave  his 
daughter  into  the  care  of  her  women  and  hur 
ried  to  his  place  in  the  council.  On  his  way  he 
heard  the  wails  of  the  captives'  mothers,  who 
had  gone  to  the  tower  above  the  gate  to  strain 


'59 


their  eyes  toward  the  hostile  camp;  He  called 
up  to  them  as  he  passed — some  word  of  com 
fort  and  good  cheer — ^and  ran  on  to  the  rock- 
hewn  wall  of  assembly,  where  the  prince  was 
already  conferring  with  his  ministers. 

Both  besiegers  and  besieged  were  sun  wor 
shippers,  and  there  would  be  no  attack  before 
day.  But  the  temper  of  the  people  had  been 
roused  to  fury  by  the  capture  of  the  maidens, 
and  the  archers  of  Mizraim  were  promised 
stern  greeting  when  once  their  scaling  ladders 
touched  the  wall. 

Omar,  the  father  of  the  little  Elma,  entered 
the  room  and  burst  through  the  circle  of  coun 
sellors  to  address  the  prince. 

He  was  a  tall  man  with  bowed  shoulders; 
the  chief  potter  and  image  maker  of  all  Edom ; 
but  now  his  eyes  were  wild  and  his  shaggy 
locks  tossed  like  a  lion's  mane. 

"  Let  a  wrong  of  the  night  be  revenged  in 
the  night,  O  prince,"  he  cried,  lifting  his  long 
arms  toward  the  sky.  "  Let  the  army  strike 
now  and  our  Lord  Sun  will  rise  to  see  our 
victory." 


E  Km 

OF   GLORT 


"  So  be  it,  O  Esau,"  cried  a  number  of 
voices  in  chorus.  And  one  after  another  of 
the  men  of  the  city  pushed  his  way  in  and 
added  to  the  clamor;  but  Esau  rose  in  his 
place  and  stood  in  majestic  patience  before 
them  until  something  in  his  look  made  them 
still.  Then  he  stretched  his  hands  outward  in 
a  gesture  of  dismissal. 

"  Have  I  so  great  a  need  of  counsellors  that 
you  come  to  me  now  ?  "  he  asked.  "  A  father 
spoke  in  Omar's  froward  tongue  and  I  for 
gave  him.  But  take  your  petitions  to  the 
temples  and  make  your  speeches  from  the 
walls  to-morrow  with  your  spears.  Go,  men 
of  Sela,  to  the  altars  of  the  Sun  !  " 

He  turned  to  his  ministers,  and  the  citizens 
quietly  left  the  place  and  joined  the  excited 
crowds,  climbing  the  precipitous  streets  to 
ward  the  temple.  Omar  strode  ahead,  his 
great  hands  hanging  helpless  by  his  sides. 


CHAPTER   XIII 

A  Princess  of  Sela 

THE  camp  of  the  Egyptians  had  been 
speedily  reduced  to  order,  and  a  vast 
area  of  the  plain  of  Shur  was  dotted 
with  tents.  For  Apepi  took  excellent  care  of 
his  soldiers,  and  provided  every  man  a  cover 
ing  to  protect  him  from  the  mischievous 
glances  of  the  moon.  It  was  a  matter  of  tradi 
tion  that  the  army  of  Timaeus,  a  former 
king,  had  been  bewitched  strangely  by  the 
goddess  of  the  night ;  and  every  man  who  had 
slept  with  his  face  uncovered  had  arisen  in  the 
morning  with  drawn  and  wrinkled  cheeks  and 
dazed  brain,  which  made  him  unfit  for  warfare. 
The  generous  and  thoughtful  provision  for 
their  comfort  and  welfare  on  the  part  of 
Pharaoh  made  his  army  adore  him,  and  it  is 
not  improbable  that  many  of  his  victories  may 
be  laid  to  that  account.  There  was  not,  in  all 
that  great  host,  a  spearman  or  a  wielder  of 


cr*HE  KISS 

J-       OF    GLORT 


the  battle-ax  or  sword  or  bow  who  would  not 
have  turned  his  weapon  to  his  own  heart  at  the 
king's  command,  and  die  blessing  the  lips  that 
condemned  him.  Now,  on  the  eve  of  battle, 
the  soldiers  strolled  along  the  narrow  streets 
between  the  little  tents  or  gathered  in  small 
groups  in  one  of  the  larger  pavilions,  where 
they  played  draughts  or  engaged  in  feats 
of  strength  and  agility.  In  some  places  they 
were  telling  stories.  But  their  laughter  was 
subdued,  and  there  was  no  sound  of  instru 
ments  or  song  to  be  carried  over  the  interven 
ing  hills  to  the  city  that  dawn  would  see  be 
sieged. 

When  the  two  young  men  in  the  royal  tent 
had  been  interrupted  in  their  confidences  by 
the  returning  troopers,  the  prince  halted  a 
soldier  whose  curiosity  had  swift  feet,  and 
said: 

"  What  means  this  clamor  in  the  camp  ?  " 
"  There  are  prisoners,  your  highness,"  an 
swered  the  man,   reluctantly   slackening  his 
speed.     "  A  scouting  party  has  just  come  in 
from  the  hills  eastward." 


HE    KISS 
OF   GLORT 


The  boy  glanced  at  his  companion  in  un 
certainty.  He  was  unskilled  in  the  craft  of 
war,  but  he  had  been  a  prince  all  his  days. 
Surely  in  so  grave  a  case  as  this  something 
must  be  required  of  him.  He  could  gain  no 
hint  from  his  companion's  face  as  to  what  the 
thing  might  be,  so  he  said,  with  a  show  of 
more  certainty  than  he  was  able  to  feel  : 

"  Report  to  my  captain,  and  tell  him  I  desire 
the  prisoners  brought  here." 

The  man  saluted  and  ran  away  ;  and  Mentu 
turned  to  Joseph  in  his  perplexity. 

"  Tell  me,  O  archer,"  he  said.  "  If  you 
were  a  prince  and  had  to  deal  with  prisoners, 
what  would  you  say?  " 

"  In  truth  I  know  not,"  replied  the  youth  ; 
and  then  they  looked  at  each  other  and 
laughed  boyishly.  Whereupon  Joseph  con 
tinued  : 

"  But  I  think  I  should  let  them  go  free.  It 
is  not  pleasant  to  be  a  prisoner." 

"  But  a  prince  must  be  severe  and  punish," 
persisted  the  king's  son,  a  frown  gathering 
under  the  serpent  diadem  on  his  brow.  "  I 


164 


CT'HE    KISS 

JL        OF    GLORT 


shall  not  let  them  go  free.  I  shall  take  them 
back  to  Tanis  in  their  chains." 

A  soldier  entered. 

"  The  prisoners  are  here,  your  highness,"  he 
said;  and  at  the  words  the  purple  drapery  of 
the  entrance  parted  and  fell  again  behind  the 
slender,  white-clad  figures  of  two  maidens — 
Rhoda,  the  princess  of  Sela,  and  her  attendant, 
Elma,  the  daughter  of  Omar. 

For  a  second  the  prince  stared  at  the  beauti 
ful  young  face  of  the  taller  girl  with  speechless 
amazement,  and  the  shepherd  felt  no  less  sur 
prise.  But  the  maid  found  her  tongue  first — 
after  the  manner  of  maids  everywhere — and 
her  great  eyes  flashed  as  she  cried : 

"  Shame  on  you  for  unmannerly  Egyptians ! 
Have  you  no  men  to  fight  with  men  by  day 
that  you  steal  maids  from  their  protectors?" 

Mentu  stood  before  her  blushing  and  stam 
mering;  but  he  managed  to  say  with  an  at 
tempt  at  dignity: 

"  Peace,  girl !     I  know  not  who  you  are." 

"  Nor  have  I  a  mind  to  tell  you,  boy,"  she 
responded.  "  But  speak,  and  say  who  leads 


HE  KISS 
OF  GLORT 


this  army.     I  would  have  speech  with  him." 

She  swept  across  the  pavilion  and  took  the 
prince's  seat  upon  the  dais.  Her  bare,  pink- 
soled  feet  sank  in  the  velvet  carpet  like  lilies 
in  a  bed  of  moss,  and  the  wonderful  copper- 
colored  hair  fell  in  a  veil  around  her.  Once 
seated,  she  leaned  back  luxuriously  and  mo 
tioned  Elma  to  a  low  place  at  her  feet. 

Joseph,  who  had  been  watching  the  prince's 
changing  expressions  with  amusement,  now 
went  behind  him  and  whispered: 

"  Shall  you  take  your  prisoners  bound  to 
Tanis,  O  son  of  Pharaoh  ?  " 

And  the  young  man  answered  seriously  : 
"  Nay,  not  so.  The  maid  knows  little  of 
the  ways  of  war,  and  I  doubt  not  the  chains 
would  bruise  her  little  hands.  Perhaps  it  will 
be  best  to  let  them  go.  See  there,  she  smiles." 
Rhoda  was  indeed  looking  well  pleased  with 
her  surroundings,  and  as  her  eyes  swept 
around  the  place  and  discovered  the  gorgeous 
wall  drapery  hung  with  the  golden  armor,  the 
camp  outfit  of  precious  wares  and  floor  cover 
ings  of  finest  velvet  bordered  about  with 
pearls,  she  said: 


rXX  CT'HE    KISS 

J-       OF   GLORT 

"  I  little  thought  a  soldier  would  be  so  softly 
housed.  Our  fighting  men  have  but  a  tent  of 
stars  above  their  heads  at  night.  Now  look 
you,  boy,  I  will  stay  here  until  you  fetch  our 
horses  to  the  door;  and  if  you  haste  and  get 
us  safely  home  within  an  hour's  time,  I  prom 
ise  that  I  will  turn  great  Esau's  wrath  before 
it  falls  on  you." 

Joseph  saw  the  bewilderment  of  the  prince, 
and  stepped  forward. 

"  Know  you  not,  O  maid  of  Sela,"  he  said, 
with  a  gesture  of  deference  toward  the  other 
lad,  "  this  is  your  prince,  son  of  Pharaoh  and 
lord  of  all  Egypt?" 

She  made  a  pretty  gesture  of  surprise  and 
put  out  her  hand  toward  him. 

"  Then  must  I  forgive  him  that  he  is  so  poor 
a  soldier,"  she  said.  "  But  you  mistake  some 
what,  good  archer,  when  you  say  he  is  my 
prince;  for  mine  is  Esau,  and  his  beard  and 
hair  are  like  the  snows  of  Hermon." 

And  then,  to  the  surprise  of  Joseph,  the 
prince  of  Egypt  went  forward  with  a  laugh 
and  kissed  her  hand. 


rHE    KISS 
OF   GLORT 


"  You  are  a  daughter  of  the  Sun,  O  red- 
haired  maiden,"  he  exclaimed.  "And  I,  who 
am,  as  he  has  said,  but  Pharaoh's  son,  dare 
not  detain  you.  The  horses  shall  be  called, 
and  we  shall  be  your  escort." 

He  motioned  to  Joseph,  still  laughing,  and 
the  Hebrew  went  out  to  give  directions  to  the 
groom  to  bring  the  steeds  up  to  the  tent.  As 
he  returned  he  met  Potiphar  just  coming  from 
between  the  entrance  curtains. 

The  captain  was  smiling  broadly,  and  he  de 
tained  the  young  archer  to  whisper: 

"  Forget  not  the  commands  of  Pharaoh  to 
keep  his  son  from  all  the  darts  of  Edom.  If  I 
mistake  not,  the  first  have  struck  him  even 
now.  What  else  could  make  him  bent  on  such 
an  expedition?  " 

"  The  prince  has  felt  no  dart,  O  captain," 
cried  Joseph,  wondering  at  his  superior  offi 
cer's  words  ;  and  a  trifle  frightened  lest  some 
treachery  had  found  his  lord  in  his  brief  ab 
sence.  "  He  is  quite  safe  and  well,  and  talk 
ing  with  a  maiden  in  the  tent.  I  go  with  him 
in  but  a  moment's  time  to  take  her,  in  all 
safet)',  back  to  Sela." 


i68  THE  KISS 

JL        OF   GLORT 

The  captain  laughed  outright  at  his  earnest 
ness. 

"  You  bend  your  bow  far  better  than  your 
mind,  O  archer,"  he  said.  "  Else  had  the  king 
slight  cause  to  trust  his  treasure  with  you. 
The  dart  I  meant  sprang  from  a  maiden's  eyes. 
As  for  your  plan  to  take  them  to  their  gates, 
its  foolishness  may  move  the  gods  to  save 
you." 

He  shrugged  his  shoulders  and  strode  away, 
and  Joseph  entered  to  hear  a  girlish  voice  ex 
claim  indignantly: 

"  And  so  you  mean  to  take  our  tribute  on 
your  arrow  points  ?  "  And  the  prince  replied 
stoutly : 

"  For  that  have  I  brought  here  ten  thou 
sand  warriors." 

There  was  a  pause,  while  the  two  looked 
into  each  other's  eyes  imperiously.  Then  the 
girl  replied: 

"  I  would,  O  son  of  Egypt's  king,  that  you 
had  brought  thrice  that  number.  But  come. 
We  should  be  setting  forth.  Since  I  have  met 
such  kindness  at  your  hands,  'tis  meet  that  I 


*H£   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


should  set  my  women  to  the  task  of  making 
poultices  from  violet  leaves  to  bind  your  war 
riors'  wounds  to-morrow  morning." 

She  rose  as  she  spoke,  and  the  horses  were 
heard  approaching.  Elma  turned  to  Joseph 
with  a  knowing  smile. 

"  When  she  speaks  thus,"  she  said  with 
pride,  "  Esau  himself  cannot  gainsay  her.  So 
tell  your  young  lord  there." 

"  What  can  she  do  to  work  her  will?  "  asked 
Joseph  skeptically.  "  She  is  naught  but  a 
maid." 

"  Do?     She  can  grow  angry." 

"  And  what  of  that  ?  There  is  no  danger 
in  a  woman's  wrath." 

Elma  lifted  a  warning  finger  before  his  eyes. 

"  That,"  she  said  scornfully,  "  is  the  speech 
of  one  who  has  much  knowledge  to  obtain. 
But  come ;  'tis  time  to  go  if  you  would  return 
before  the  hour  of  battle." 

The  steeds  stood  at  the  door,  and  as  the 
curtains  were  drawn  backward,  disclosing  the 
girls  to  their  view,  they  whinnied  joyfully. 

By  order  of  the  captain  every  man  was  in 


77V9  CT'HE  KISS 

1  IU  J-       OF   GLORT 


his  tent  and  the  camp  quiet  at  the  time  of  the 
departure  of  the  prince  on  his  extraordinary 
mission  to  the  gates  of  the  enemy's  city,  and 
so  the  four  set  out  with  no  curious  eyes  to 
watch  them.  Rhoda  leaped  to  her  horse's 
back  from  the  prince's  hand,  and  he  seemed 
disposed  to  keep  his  place  beside  her  when  he 
had  mounted;  while  Joseph,  alive  to  the  de 
light  of  the  strange  experience,  rode  beside 
Elma ;  and  they  swept  through  the  ravine  and 
out  on  the  ribbon-like  track  which  bounded 
the  pleasure  garden,  as  joyously  as  though  it 
had  all  been  a  part  of  the  programme  of  the 
festival.  The  horses  were  in  fine  spirits  and 
their  riders  young  and  merry,  and  in  a  few 
moments  the  grove  had  been  passed  and  the 
turn  of  the  road  made  toward  the  city.  The 
moon's  silver  lamp  swung  low  in  the  soft, 
black  sky,  and  there  was  no  sound  save  the 
rhythmic  beat  of  hoofs ;  no  sight  but  frowning 
walls  and  towers  of  massive  masonry.  But 
as  the  curve  was  passed,  and  the  figures  of  the 
riders  became  visible  on  the  road,  a  cry  rose 
suddenly  from  the  house  above  the  gate — a 


rHE   KISS  T^r 

OF   GLORT  *  I2 

cry  followed  by  another  full  of  rapture  and 
thanksgiving. 

"  Our  mothers  have  seen  us  returning,"  said 
Rhoda,  glancing  up  and  waving  her  hand  to 
the  tower;  and  they  urged  their  horses  for 
ward. 

"  Peace  be  with  you,  and  safety,  O  maid  of 
Sela,"  said  Mentu,  wheeling  his  horse  about. 
"  I  would  I  might  keep  to-morrow's  arrows 
from  your  household." 

He  signalled  to  Joseph  to  start  for  the 
camp,  but  the  girl  with  a  quick  movement  laid 
her  hand  on  his  bridle. 

"  A  little  farther,  O  prince,"  she  said,  smil 
ing.  "  We  are  not  yet  at  the  gates,  and  there 
are  panthers  and  other  wild  things  near." 

So  he  turned  again  and  rode  close  to  her 
side  up  to  the  judges'  stand;  and  then,  sud 
denly,  an  unseen  portal  swung  at  its  side  and 
a  company  of  soldiers  swept  out  and  sur 
rounded  them. 

"  Thus  were  we  surprised  to-day,  O  son  of 
Pharaoh,"  cried  Rhoda,  who  had  recognized 
the  intention  of  the  soldiers.  And  then  pro- 


r>7/>  CT'HE    KISS 

•* /^  -L       OF    GLORY 

testing,  and  wholly  unprepared  for  such  a  ter 
mination  to  the  evening,  the  two  young  men 
were  hurried  into  the  city.  From  the  gate 
which  clanged  heavily  after  them  to  the  be 
ginning  of  the  ascent  into  the  rock-built  town 
was  but  a  hundred  feet,  and  as  Rhoda  began 
to  climb  upward  she  looked  back,  and  her 
triumph  ran  over  in  a  girlish  laugh  as  she 
cried,  in  remembrance  of  what  she  had  heard 
in  the  invader's  camp : 

"  Forward,  archers  of  Sela,  to  the  prince 
with  my  prisoners." 


CHAPTER  XIV 

Trumpets  of  Battle 

AMAZED  and  chagrined  at  what  to 
older  soldiers  must  have  seemed  the 
inevitable  result  of  their  expedition, 
the  prince  and  Joseph  were  hurried  along 
through  tortuous  ways  which  led  ever  up 
ward  until  they  came  to  a  rock  so  massive  and 
towering  that  it  seemed  a  distinct  spur  of  the 
mountain.  Here  they  paused,  for  the  cliff 
rose  to  a  height  of  five  hundred  feet  and 
formed  a  wall  across  the  path.  But  even  as 
they  looked  at  the  apparently  impenetrable 
surface,  a  huge  block  of  stone  swung  suddenly 
inward,  forming  a  door  to  a  circular  chamber 
of  considerable  size  and  height  immeasurable  ; 
for  the  stairs  were  cut  in  a  gradually  ascending 
spiral  around  the  sides,  and  were  lost  in  the 
blackness  of  the  upper  region.  So  far  the 
march  had  been  conducted  without  speech, 
and  it  seemed  to  both  the  boys  that  it  was  all 


E    KISS 
OF   GLORT 


a  part  of  some  curious  dream.  Their  escort, 
which  at  the  moment  of  their  capture  had 
been  a  complete  company  of  a  hundred  sol 
diers,  had  drifted  away — small  detachments  at 
a  time — until  only  a  half-dozen  remained  and 
entered  the  citadel  with  the  prisoners.  These 
warriors  wore  short  garments  of  ox-hides  and 
breastplates  of  beautifully  ornamented  copper. 
Their  helmets  were  of  the  same  metal,  but 
formed  of  chains  sufficiently  open  to  give  ven 
tilation  to  the  abundant  locks  of  bristling  red 
hair  which  hung  to  their  shoulders — for  the 
distinguishing  mark  of  the  Edomites  was  the 
color  of  their  hair,  and  they  considered  it  a 
special  sign  of  their  kinship  with  the  sun. 
They  also  wore,  in  honor  of  the  moon,  two 
slender  horns  above  their  brows,  and  these 
were  polished  and  decorated  with  tassels.  The 
upper  parts  of  their  feet  were  covered  with 
sandals  of  soft  leather,  which  were  caught  with 
rings  over  their  toes,  leaving  the  soles  of  the 
feet  free  to  climb  and  hold  the  rocks.  And 
so  well  trained  had  they  become  that  the 


rHE   KISS  •*>-,£• 

OF   GLORT  J  /J 


Edom  mountaineer  could  creep  up  a  wall  as 
easily  as  a  fly  scales  a  window. 

At  the  entrance  of  the  place  the  prince,  who 
had  walked  unresisting  along  the  entire  way, 
suddenly  raised  his  head. 

"  I  am  Mentu,  son  of  Pharaoh  and  lord  of 
the  upper  and  lower  country,"  he  said.  "  I 
am  also  a  prisoner,  and  I  know  not  your  ways 
in  war,  but  I  would  send  a  message  to  your 
prince  and  ask  him,  in  all  courtesy,  to  set  us 
free." 

A  guard  stepped  forward  and  saluted  re 
spectfully. 

"  Esau  is  with  his  ministers,  O  prince  of 
Egypt ;  and  it  is  his  law  that  no  one  shall  seek 
his  presence  till  the  dawn.  Rest  then  with 
your  companion  for  the  night,  in  such  rude 
comfort  as  a  fortress  offers ;  and  in  the  morn 
ing  Esau  will  do  homage  to  his  guest." 

"  But  it  will  be  the  battle  morning,"  cried 
the  boy,  "  and  I  shall  not  be  there  to  lead  my 
warriors.  Let  me  go  hence,  O  soldier  of  the 
hills.  Let  me  go  hence,  that  Pharaoh  be  not 
shamed  before  his  army." 


'HE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


'  'Twere  better  to  shame  Pharaoh  than 
anger  Esau,"  observed  the  trooper.  Then 
pointing  to  a  stairway,  he  continued :  "  Let  me 
conduct  your  highness  to  your  chamber." 

The  young  Egyptian  looked  at  Joseph  in 
dismay,  but  at  a  nod  from  the  latter  moved 
on  without  further  protest  or  entreaty.  The 
steps  before  referred  to  were  cut  deeply 
enough  into  the  wall  to  admit  of  two  men 
ascending  them  abreast,  and  to  the  relief  of 
the  boys,  who  looked  at  them  with  dizziness 
and  apprehension,  a  soldier  walked  by  either 
one,  on  the  outside,  treading  the  railless  spiral 
as  it  led  up  and  up  around  the  circle  of  the 
room  as  calmly  as  though  it  were  an  ordinary 
road.  Even  from  their  places,  pressed  close 
against  the  inner  side,  the  boys  had  diffi 
culty  to  keep  from  falling.  Twice  the  prince 
swayed  against  the  sturdy  form  of  the 
soldier,  and  Joseph  cringed  and  hugged  the 
wall  as  they  wound  slowly  up  and  around. 
Below,  in  the  black  pit  that  seemed  to  yawn  to 
engulf  him,  he  could  see  the  torches  flare  and 
gleam,  but  above  was  utter  darkness.  His 


rHE    KISS  r__ 

OF    GLORT  -*/ 1 

head  throbbed  and  he  shut  his  eyes  and  stum 
bled  upward  for  a  distance  and  a  time  inter 
minable.  Then  at  last,  as  he  raised  his  foot 
mechanically  for  another  step,  it  sank  back  on 
the  same  level ;  and  he  opened  his  eyes  to  dis 
cover  that  he  was  standing  with  his  com 
panions  on  a  broad  platform  looking  into  a 
room  of  remarkable  extent  and  beauty.  At  a 
motion  from  the  prince  he  followed  him  into 
the  apartment,  and  the  guards  saluted  and 
withdrew.  Then  the  limbs  of  the  two  young 
men  fairly  gave  way  under  them,  and  they 
sank  trembling  to  the  floor.  It  was  several 
moments  before  either  one  could  speak,  and 
then  the  Egyptian  said  regretfully : 

"  I  knew  not  that  the  shape  of  fear  walked 
with  me  until  I  felt  my  way  along  those  stairs 
to-night.  But  I  swear  to  you,  that  rather 
than  to  go  down  them  I  will  remain  a  prisoner 
of  Esau's  all  my  days." 

"That  said  I,  too,"  said  Joseph,  "on  the 
way  hither.  But  now  I  promise  you  I  would 
not  let  them  keep  me  from  my  freedom  if  it 
were  day.  But  look,"  he  continued,  spring- 
is 


r 


I  HE    KISS 
OF   GLORT 


ing  up,  "  this  chamber  of  the  stars  is  made 
for  worship,  if  I  mistake  not.  This  window 
must  be  north,  for  Vega  shines  herein,  and 
every  one  enshrines  some  constellation  for  a 
space  as  it  moves  through  the  heavens." 

The  room  was  indeed  the  tower  of  astro 
logy.  The  floor,  which  was  of  blue  stone, 
was  inlaid  with  the  solar  disk  with  rays  of 
solid  gold;  and  innumerable  stars  and  the 
signs  of  the  zodiac  were  portrayed  in  silver. 
Save  for  a  pavilion  in  the  centre  which 
afforded  a  covering  for  a  couch,  the  place  was 
open  to  the  sky.  Outside  of  this  pavilion  the 
furniture  was  of  the  plainest  description,  but 
within  were  luxurious  cushions  and  soft  car 
pets  and  the  purple  hangings  of  royalty.  The 
young  prince  threw  himself  down  upon  the 
pillows  with  a  boyish  frown. 

"  Know  you  not,  O  archer,"  he  said,  "  that 
a  maid  is  at  the  root  of  every  trouble  ?  Here 
are  we  prisoners  within  the  walls  instead  of 
making  siege  without  them;  and  all  because 
a  maid  has  copper-colored  hair  and  feet  like 
buds  of  lotus  in  the  Nile.  I  would  that  I 


rHE  KISS  T*n 

OF   GLORT  •//y 


might  see  the  girl  and  heap  red  anger  on  her 
ruddy  locks  for  all  that  she  has  brought  upon 
me." 

"  I  doubt  not,"  answered  Joseph,  "  that 
your  bowmen  will  avenge  your  capture  when 
they  storm  the  gates.  An  hour  since  their 
arms  were  strong  for  duty ;  what  will  they  not 
be  for  love  ?  The  walls  may  be  a  useless  pile 
of  stones  this  time  to-morrow  evening  and  all 
the  pride  of  Sela  trampled  low." 

But  the  prince  uncomforted,  said: 

"  Peace,  desert  wanderer !  Do  you  think 
the  little  maid  could  bear  the  fright  and  shock 
of  falling  walls?  Who  knows  what  evil  arrow 
may  not  pierce  her  as  she  flies  before  my 
headless  army?  If  I  were  there,  be  sure  it 
would  not  be  so." 

Joseph  stretched  his  arms  wide  and  yawned, 
and  the  prince  immediately  followed  him,  ex 
claiming  angrily  as  the  convulsion  ceased : 

"  As  prince  of  Egypt,  I  should  be  the  first 
to  yawn.  See  to  it  that  you  set  no  fashion 
after  this.  Stop,  I  command  you !  " 

But   the   Hebrew,   after  a   vain   struggle, 


CT*HE   KISS 

-L       OF    GLORY 


yielded  again  to  the  spasm  and  opened  his 
mouth  till  every  shining  tooth  was  revealed; 
while,  battling  with  his  rage,  the  son  of 
Pharaoh  imitated  him. 

"  I  meant  not  so,"  Joseph  began  apolo 
getically,  and  then  another  yawn  stopped  the 
words,  and  the  prince's  threat  was  halted  by 
a  prodigious  gape,  which  seemed  likely  to  rend 
his  jaws  asunder,  and  in  spite  of  his  most  just 
and  princely  anger  the  hysteria  continued  un 
til  Mentu  dropped  back  upon  the  cushions  and 
fell  asleep,  and  the  archer,  stretching  his  lithe 
young  body  on  the  floor,  gave  himself  up  to 
slumber. 

While  they  yet  slept  a  trumpet  note  sought 
the  ear  of  the  prince,  and  rinding  it  closed  went 
on  to  the  shepherd.  Joseph  sprang  to  his  feet 
to  see  the  pale  stars  in  a  sky  already  claimed 
by  dawn,  and  to  hear  the  deep-toned  song  of 
battle  borne  upward  to  him  from  the  city : 

"  Come  up,  ye  horses  of  Pharaoh,  and  eat  of 

the  grass  of  sorrow. 

Sing,  all  ye  arrows  of  Egypt;  vain  is  your 
flight,  vain  your  singing." 


rHE   KISS  rOr 

OF   GLORY  •/a/ 

For  a  moment  he  listened,  dazed,  and  then 
rushed  to  the  window  which  opened  to  the 
west.  Directly  below  the  very  streets  seemed 
moving,  so  closely  were  they  rilled  with  com 
pact  ranks  of  marching  men;  for  the  main 
thoroughfare  from  the  temple  to  the  gate  was 
intersected  by  all  the  narrower  roads,  and  pre 
sented,  from  the  height,  the  appearance  of  a 
huge,  uncouth  monster  swarming  between  the 
cliffs  on  its  way  to  the  wall.  Joseph  saw  that 
this  monster  was  made  up  of  fighting  men — 
foot-soldiers,  without  exception,  for  the  to 
pography  of  the  capital  did  not  admit  the  use 
of  cavalry  inside,  and  the  Edomites  preferred 
to  ride  their  elephants  outside  the  walls.  The 
infantry  differed  in  few  respects  from  the  op 
posing  hosts  of  Pharaoh,  and  it  was  evident 
from  their  manoeuvres  that  their  leaders  fol 
lowed  the  tactics  of  the  great  king.  But  one 
company  alone  preceded  the  bowmen,  and 
Joseph  in  surprise  bent  over  and  strained  his 
eyes  to  ascertain  what  manner  of  warriors 
they  were.  Apparently  dwarfs,  with  tre 
mendous  breadth  of  shoulder  and  length  of 


CT'HE   KISS 

-L       OF   GLORT 


arm,  they  walked  with  a  peculiar  lope  much 
different  from  the  military  movement  of  the 
others.  But  it  was  not  until  they  reached  the 
wall  and  sprang  suddenly  upon  it  that  he  rec 
ognized  their  place  among  the  regiments. 
They  were  the  stone-throwing  apes,  and  the 
terror  of  their  deeds  had  gone  out  even  to  the 
tents  of  Canaan.  He  turned  around  with  a 
shudder  and  met  the  eyes  of  the  prince,  who 
had  come  up  behind  him  and  was  looking  on 
with  like  aversion  and  horror. 

"  I  knew  not  that  we  came  to  fight  with 
beasts,"  he  said.  Then  with  a  cry  of  utter 
helplessness,  added  :  "  Oh,  that  I  were  there 
to  lead  my  army.  I  cannot  stay  here  like  a 
hawk  in  a  cage  and  see  them  fight  without  me. 
Look,  but  now  I  caught  a  gleam  of  chariots 
beyond  yon  lowest  hills.  Saw  you  not  the 
same?  'Twas  behind  the  grove  of  dancing 
that  we  passed  last  night.  See  !  Potiphar  at 
last;  and  all  our  battle-cars  are  following!  " 

He  strained  his  eyes  toward  the  sight,  and 
Joseph  saw  the  tears  upon  his  cheeks  as  he 
cried  : 


HE   KISS 
O.F   GLORY 


"  Mizraim  !     Mizraim  !  " 

From  their  place  high  up  above  the  town 
the  whole  scene  was  plainly  visible  and  the  in 
vaders  and  defenders  in  full  view.  Directly 
in  front  of  the  gates  was  the  pleasure  ground, 
but  yesterday  the  field  of  sports  and  peaceful 
contests;  beyond  that  the  wooded  grove,  and 
farther  still  the  hills  which  hemmed  the  desert. 
The  vast  camp  of  Egypt  was  huddled  close 
under  the  shelter  of  these  hills,  or  it  would 
have  been  discovered,  doubtless,  by  the  sen 
tinels  whose  duties  led  them  to  this  very  tower. 
The  fact  that  the  approach  of  the  army  was 
unobserved  was  probably  due  to  the  keen  in 
terest  felt  by  every  citizen  of  Sela  in  the 
games  —  a  circumstance  which  excused  the 
guards  when  the  matter  came  up  later  for  in 
vestigation.  But  now  the  two  lads  watched 
the  advance  of  the  well-disciplined  troops  with 
intense  interest  as  they  emerged  boldly  from 
the  camp,  and  with  the  sound  of  singing  and 
the  wail  of  double  pipes  and  long  drums 
marched  on  to  meet  the  enemy.  An  unseen 
enemy  as  yet,  intrenched  behind  the  double 


184  THE  KISS 


OF   GLORT 


fosses  which  surrounded  their  walls,  and  seem 
ingly  unassailable  from  any  point  outside  the 
fortifications. 

Steadily  the  Egyptians  poured  out  of  the 
wadis  in  the  hills — a  brilliant,  unending 
stream  of  shining  chariots,  richly  caparisoned 
horses,  and  men  clothed  in  linen  tunics  and 
leopard  skins,  plumed  and  armored  for  war. 
The  boys  watched  the  formation  of  the  troops 
with  absorbed  interest,  as  quietly  and  with  un 
wavering  precision  the  complex  mass  resolved 
itself  into  distinct  and  compact  companies. 
Flanked  by  the  chariots,  the  phalanxes  were 
arranged  upon  the  field  according  to  their 
order.  The  slingers,  spearsmen,  and  swords 
men  in  the  forward  ranks  and  the  archers 
following.  Apepi  had  proved  his  strategy 
in  this  order  of  precedence ;  for  the  men  who 
fought  hand  to  hand  with  their  adversaries 
were  able  safely  to  advance  to  their  very  walls 
under  the  arrows  that  flew  from  behind  them. 

Unlike  the  other  foot-soldiers,  who  were  in 
variably  formed  into  phalanxes,  the  pike  men 
were  arranged  in  wedge-shaped  companies, 


rHE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


with  the  small  end  of  the  wedge  toward  the 
city.  They  occupied  a  space  between  the 
double  lines  of  infantry  and  in  the  centre  of 
Jhe  field,  and  a  part  of  their  equipment  was  an 
immense  framework  covered  with  oxhide 
and  supported  by  four  poles,  under  which  the 
work  against  the  walls  might  go  on  without 
fear  of  the  enemy  above  them — for  it  was  from 
the  shelter  of  this  unsightly  but  effectual  in 
strument  that  the  battering  rams  were  di 
rected,  and  from  its  top  the  scaling-ladders 
were  reared. 

The  son  of  the  king  had  looked  upon  the 
glittering  ranks  with  a  pride  which  flushed  his 
cheeks  and  set  a  gleam  in  his  dark  eyes.  But 
now  he  turned  to  Joseph  and  said  petulantly : 

"  They  seem  not  to  have  missed  me  at  the 
camp.  See  you  in  all  their  looks  a  sign  of 
woe?  By  what  right  go  they  at  their  war 
without  me?  " 

"  Such  is  the  way  of  soldiers,  I  have  heard,'* 
answered  Joseph.  "  What  they  must  do,  they 
do  and  say  no  word.  But  I  doubt  not  each 
heart  that  beats  beneath  the  lion  badge  is  filled 


i86  THE  KISS 

JL\J\J  I          /-IF    r>r i 


-L        OF   GLORT 


with  plans  to  set  its  great  prince  free.  Hark, 
some  one  comes." 

One  of  the  guards  who  had  conducted  them 
to  the  tower  on  the  previous  evening  came  in 
the  door  accompanied  by  a  slave  bearing  food 
and  water.  It  was  now  quite  light,  and  the 
sight  of  the  breakfast  made  the  young  prison 
ers  hungry. 

"When  will  the  battle  begin?"  asked  the 
Egyptian,  as  he  partook  with  keen  appetite  of 
the  food.  And  the  soldier  said: 

"  Already  Esau  goes  toward  the  walls. 
Hark !  you  are  answered." 

A  trumpet  sounded  from  the  battlements, 
and  the  boys  rushed  back  to  their  places  of 
observation,  while  the  guard  and  his  com 
panion  sought  the  stairs.  Scarcely  had  the 
signal  died  away  when  the  Edomites  swarmed 
up  the  inner  side  of  the  wall  like  red  ants  and 
fairly  hurled  themselves  down  and  upon  the 
nearest  ranks  of  the  invaders  in  the  open  field, 
fighting  at  short  range  under  the  arrows  from 
both  sides.  At  the  signal  of  the  trumpet  the 
archers  had  drawn  in  line  and  discharged 


CT'HE    KISS 

-I        OF   GLORT 


showers  of  darts  on  the  defenders'  front,  under 
cover  of  which  the  heavy  infantry,  armed  with 
spears  and  clubs  and  protected  by  their  long 
shields,  moved  forward,  flanked  by  battle-cars 
and  cavalry,  and  pressed  toward  the  centre 
and  wings  of  the  enemy,  whose  strength  it 
was  difficult  to  estimate  —  for  the  Edomites 
not  only  issued  in  orderly  companies  from  the 
various  gates,  but  poured  over  the  walls  and 
up  through  subterranean  passages,  and 
seemed  to  attack  from  every  quarter. 

For  the  first  half-hour  the  air  was  filled  with 
shouts  and  taunting  cries  and  the  sun  dark 
ened  by  arrows.  Here,  there,  and  every 
where  along  the  lines  men  flung  themselves 
upon  each  other  in  deadly,  hate-filled  conflict, 
hand  to  hand.  The  captains  leaped  from  their 
chariots,  and  dropping  their  bows  caught  up 
war  clubs  and  two-edged  swords  and  mowed 
and  beat  men  down  along  their  path  of  de 
struction  with  both  hands.  And  above  the 
shock  of  shield  on  shield,  the  crash  of  spears, 
and  vibrant  clang  of  steel  rose  the  shrill 
scream  of  wounded  horses  and  the  hideous 


T  o o  CT'HE  KISS 

JO°  -L       OF    GLORT 

gibbering  of  the  apes  that  hurled  stones  of 
great  size  among  the  king's  troops,  creating 
disorder  and  destruction,  and  presented  an 
appearance  of  demoniac  ferocity  as  they 
swung  their  hairy  arms  and  danced  and  grim 
aced  on  the  ramparts. 

But  owing  to  their  distance  from  the  walls, 
the  Egyptian  archers  were  still  able  to  fret  and 
embarrass  the  enemy,  and  under  the  cover  of 
a  flight  of  arrows,  the  testudo — the  frame 
work  covered  with  hides — was  finally  run 
close  against  the  masonry.  This  engine  was 
large  enough  to  shelter  twenty  men,  and  the 
light  troops  made  ready  to  mount  upon  it 
when  the  moment  was  ripe  to  scale  the  walls. 
But  now,  beneath,  the  pike  men  were  at  work 
to  dislodge  the  stones  and  direct  the  battering- 
rams  against  the  bulwarks  of  the  city,  while 
the  reserve  divisions  came  up  on  flank  and 
rear  to  the  sound  of  drums  and  shouting,  only 
to  mix  in  the  wildly-struggling  mass  and  melt 
away  like  the  ones  that  had  fought  before 
them. 

High  in  their  tower  the  boys  watched  the 


HE  KISS 
OF  GLORT 


scene  with  eyes  wide  with  dread.  War  to 
them  had  meant  life,  strenuous,  and  full  of 
triumphant  glory;  but  this  was  death  —  cour 
age  pierced  by  arrows  and  trampled  by  plung 
ing  horses.  They  saw  the  grass  turn  red,  the 
sand  become  a  sea  of  crimson;  but  even 
though  they  fought  on  heaps  of  dead  the  sol 
diers  kept  on  fighting.  Not  as  men  now,  but 
fiends.  Not  for  Pharaoh's  tribute,  for  prin 
ciple,  for  revenge,  but  for  the  mad  joy  that 
comes  in  battle  to  hew  men  down  and  see 
them  die. 

The  prince  and  shepherd  caught  each 
other's  hands  and  held  on  hard. 

But  now  they  saw  Potiphar  cut  his  way  to 
where  the  disordered  phalanxes  still  held  the 
field.  The  Edomites  had  made  a  fierce  and 
unexpected  onslaught  on  the  left  flank  of  the 
army  and  driven  one  division  to  retreat,  and 
the  garden  of  dancing  was  torn  and  trampled 
by  the  hurrying  horses.  But  the  captain  ral 
lied  his  own  troops  for  a  dash  against  the  wall. 
For  some  reason  that  point  was  for  a  moment 
feebly  defended  ;  the  eye  of  the  officer  saw  it, 


cr>H 

JL        OF   GLORT 


and  he  knew  that  moment — and  that  alone — 
was  theirs.  They  gathered  for  the  effort  man 
fully,  but  just  as  they  were  leaping  forward  at 
all  speed  the  prince's  voices  arrested  them : 
"  Look,  men  of  Egypt,  here  am  I !  " 
Confused,  surprised,  and  thrilled  at  the 
familiar  tone,  they  stopped  with  a  shout  and 
looked  upward.  And  by  that  hesitation  the 
battle  and  the  day  was  lost ;  for  the  Edomites, 
reinforced,  swarmed  to  the  spot  and  drove 
the  invaders  back  with  terrible  slaughter. 
Potiphar  looked  to  see  the  pride  of  Pharaoh 
flying  for  the  desert,  and  turned  to  follow, 
when,  trumpeting  with  rage  and  rushing  with 
a  tread  which  shook  the  ground,  the  battle 
elephants,  with  the  old  prince  on  the  foremost, 
closed  in  upon  the  rear. 

The  chief  officer  of  the  king  stood  with  his 
own  depleted  company  alone  among  the  dead ; 
for  the  rest  of  the  Egyptians  had  fled,  and  the 
Edomites,  comprehending  the  intention  of 
their  prince,  had  withdrawn  from  the  field. 
He  was  a  brave  man  and  a  good  soldier,  but 
now  as  the  great  beasts  came  threateningly 


rHE   KISS 
OF   GLORY 


toward  him  he  knew  that  he  must  choose  be 
tween  capture  and  death.  He  drew  the  sword 
with  which  he  had  fought  so  gallantly,  and 
placing  the  point  against  his  breast,  would 
have  fallen  on  it  had  not  Esau  cried : 

"  Not  so,  O  captain.  Pharaoh  will  need 
your  arm  and  sword  on  many  a  battle  morning 
that  the  stars  have  promised.  But  to  the  city 
now.  I  doubt  not  there  are  those  within  of 
interest  to  you ;  and  we  shall  have  some  leisure 
to  confer  another  time." 

The  mien  of  the  old  man  was  not  unkind, 
and  he  made  a  gesture  of  courtesy  toward  the 
company  as  the  beasts,  like  a  trained  cordon 
of  soldiery,  still  preserved  their  form  of  the 
half  circle  in  which  they  had  advanced,  and 
moved  slowly  forward;  while  the  Egyptians 
walked,  perforce,  before  them  into  the  now 
open  gates  of  Sela. 


CHAPTER   XV 

The  Ruler  of  the  Red  Hills 

THE  rock  garrison  of  Sela  was  arranged 
in  three  lofty  rooms,  one  above  the 
other,  and  surmounted  by  the  astro 
logical  observatory  now  occupied  by  the  prince 
and  Joseph.  The  lower  and  middle  rooms  had 
been  filled  since  the  battle  morning — three 
days  before — with  the  captured  Egyptians, 
who  were  now  sleeping  on  their  mats  upon 
the  floor;  for  the  conquerors  of  that  period 
had  not  learned  to  add  cruelty  to  the  sorrows 
of  defeat,  and  the  places  for  the  confinement 
of  prisoners  were  provided  with  certain  com 
forts,  and  had  no  lack  of  light  and  air. 

At  the  first  streak  of  dawn  a  trooper  in  the 
middle  apartment  stirred  and  stretched  him 
self,  and  his  out-flung  arm  fell  upon  another, 
who  started  up  with  a  yell  of  agony  and  the 
cry: 

"  Mercy  on  me,  O  king !    Mercy  on  me !  " 


rHE   KISS 
OF    GLORT 


"Peace,  bread-kneader ! "  answered  the 
first  trooper,  with  an  assumption  of  kingly 
dignity;  "  and  tell  me  why  I  should  have 
mercy  on  you." 

"  I  but  dreamed,"  said  the  other,  not  notic 
ing  his  humor;  '"and  I  would  some  one  might 
discover  the  meaning  of  the  dream  for  me." 

"  That  might  I  do,"  retorted  the  other  teas- 
ingly.  "  But  this  much  only  will  I  tell  you,  the 
vision  was  a  bad  one." 

"How  know  you  that?"  he  cried  admir 
ingly.  "  In  truth  I  think  that  you  might  tell 
it  all.  I  vow  to  you  it  troubles  me." 

The  dreamer,  a  fat  and  flabby-faced  man, 
had  no  look  of  a  soldier.  In  fact  he  was  chief 
baker  to  the  king;  but  according  to  the  law 
of  Pharaoh,  every  man  of  his  household  must 
at  some  time  serve  in  the  army;  and  it  had 
been  his  fate  to  meet  with  capture  on  his  first 
campaign.  He  sat  quite  still  where  he  had 
risen,  after  the  trooper  had  gone  laughingly 
away,  with  a  look  of  much  anxiety  on  his 
features,  which  was  only  dispelled  when  a 
dwarf,  who  had  wriggled  himself  in  and  out 
13 


'HE   KISS 

°F 


among  the  sleepers  wakening  them  with 
tweaks  and  ticklings,  suddenly  came  behind 
him  with  a  loud  "  Boo  !  " 

He  started  again  with  a  nervous  cry,  and 
then  seeing  who  was  beside  him,  asked 
eagerly  : 

"  Neco,  can  you  tell  dreams  ?  " 

The  dwarf  wagged  his  head. 

"  Yes,  and  riddles  too,"  he  said.  "  Why  is 
a  _  » 

"  Wait,  Neco,"  cried  a  number  of  the  sol 
diers.  "  Speak  so  we  can  all  hear.  Now  go 
on." 

"  Why,"  said  the  jester,  "  is  a  babbling 
tongue  like  a  knife  ?  " 

"  Because  it  pricks,"  said  one.  "  No,  no," 
scoffed  another.  "  Because  it  is  a  woman's 
weapon." 

"  Not  so,  my  wise  friends,"  replied  the 
dwarf.  "  It  is  because  —  ha  !  ha  !  that  you 
should  be  so  dull  in  guessing.  A  babbling 
tongue  is  like  a  knife  because  it  can  cut  off  its 
owner's  head." 

A  roar  of  easy  laughter  followed  this  riddle  ; 


rHE    KISS 
OF    GLORT 


but  the  baker-soldier  groaned.  "  I  like  not 
your  jokes.  But  is  there  any  one  among  you 
who  can  read  dreams  ?  " 

"  Have  done  with  your  babble,  O  Thah  of 
the  ovens,"  interrupted  one  of  the  company 
roughly.  "  Let  us  hear  more  of  Neco's  say- 
ings." 

But  another  member  of  the  king's  house 
hold  spoke  for  the  dejected  baker :  "  Who 
are  you  that  scoff  at  dreams?"  he  said. 
"  And  what  man  here  can  say  they  portend 
naught  of  evil?  I,  too,  have  had  some  sleep 
thoughts  which  I  would  like  clear  written  for 
me." 

Thah  moved  over  to  stand  beside  the 
speaker,  and  the  jester,  at  the  urgings  of  the 
soldiers,  continued: 

"  Why  is  a  wazir  who  rules  over  a  king  like 
a  man  riding  on  a  lion  ?  " 

No  one  made  an  attempt  to  answer,  and 
after  a  brief  wait  he  gained  their  applause  by 
saying : 

"  Because  the  people  fear  him,  and  he  is 
afraid  of  what  he  rides." 


196  T 


HE   KISS 
OF    GLORT 


But  now  the  guards  of  Edom  came  in  with 
great  trays  of  metal  heaped  with  fruit  and 
bread  and  jars  of  water ;  and  the  soldiers  found 
better  uses  for  their  mouths  than  story-telling. 
When  they  had  eaten,  Potiphar,  who  was 
quartered  in  a  small  chamber  adjoining  the 
main  hall,  entered  and  went  among  them  in 
quiring  after  their  welfare.  Thah,  only,  pre 
sented  a  miserable  countenance,  and  the  cap 
tain  listened  patiently  to  his  dream,  promising 
him  to  ask  for  a  soothsayer,  if  one  was  to  be 
found  in  Edom,  to  set  his  mind  at  rest  con 
cerning  it. 

Potiphar  had  been  allowed  the  freedom  of 
the  garrison,  and  on  the  day  of  his  capture 
had  been  granted  an  audience  with  his  young 
prince.  He  had  gone  in  anger  to  the  boy, 
determined  to  use  a  general's  privilege  of 
stern  speech  to  him  for  causing  the  loss  of  the 
battle.  But  he  found  the  son  of  his  king  a 
weeping,  humbled  captive,  and  so  instead  of 
reproaches  he  gave  him  a  soldier's  tears  as  he 
knelt  to  kiss  his  powerless  young  hand. 

So  far  a  meeting  with  Esau  had  been  post- 


rHE   KISS 
OF   GLORY  Ity y 


poned.  But  now,  as  he  stood  among  his 
troopers,  a  messenger  came  to  tell  him  to  pre 
pare  Mentu  for  a  visit  from  the  old  prince. 
He  started  to  ascend  the  spiral  stairs,  when 
the  soldier  who  had  defended  Thah  against  the 
ridicule  of  the  others  caught  him  by  the  gar 
ment. 

"  If  you  find  a  soothsayer,  O  captain,"  he 
whispered,  "  let  him  come  first  to  me.  I  had 
a  strange  and  troubling  vision  in  the  night 
concerning  Pharaoh." 

"  I  shall  have  little  strength  for  battle  if  my 
camp  is  given  up  to  dreams,"  said  the  officer, 
with  a  tinge  of  sadness.  "  But  be  it  even  as 
you  wish,"  and  he  continued  his  way  to  the 
upper  chamber. 

It  was  early  morning,  and  the  great  sea, 
which  was  plainly  visible  from  their  tower, 
was  softly  violet  now  that  the  sun  was  behind 
them. 

The  young  prisoners  had  watched  it  at 
dawn,  when  the  waters  were  like  wine  and  the 
mountains  of  the  north  cloaked  in  mists ;  and 
at  noon,  when  sky  and  sea  and  plain  were 


198  T 


HE   KISS 
OF    GLORY 


brazen,  and  the  forest  of  Gilead  seemed  to 
beckon  all  Palestine  to  its  cool  green  shade. 
They  could  see  the  black  and  tan  goats  scam 
per  up  the  heights,  nearer  at  hand,  and  cower 
in  the  shelter  of  a  single  tree,  where  a  herds 
man  drowsed  beside  a  cistern.  And  they  had 
gazed  out  over  the  land  when  it  slumbered 
under  the  moonlight  and  the  night-shrouded, 
sentinel  hills  wore  opal  crowns. 

Potiphar  struck  the  door  with  the  hilt  of  his 
blade,  and  at  the  call  of  the  prince  entered. 
He  was  pale  and  depressed,  for  the  defeat  was 
a  sad  blow  to  his  soldierly  pride ;  and  he  leaned 
on  his  sword  heavily  as  he  faced  his  master. 
But  the  boy  had  recovered  his  spirits  some 
what,  and  now  called : 

"  What  of  the  day,  my  captain  ?  Shall  we 
have  speech  with  the  white-bearded  ruler  of 
these  hills  ?  In  truth  I  hope  so,  for  I  warrant 
there  has  been  some  talk  in  our  favor  between 
him  and  the  maid;  and  I  confess  that  I  am 
weary  of  this  prison." 

"  Esau  has  charged  me  to  advise  you  of  his 


rHE    KISS 
OF   GLORr 


coming,  O  Egypt,"  replied  Potiphar,  "  Even 
now  he  is  on  his  way  hither." 

"  It  is  well,"  said  Mentu,  now  every  inch  a 
prince.  "  Son  of  Aman,  stand  at  my  right 
hand;  and  do  you,  my  captain,  conduct  him  to 
my  presence  with  all  honor." 

He  took  the  low  chair  under  the  purple 
canopy  and  Joseph  stood  silently  beside  him. 
There  was  a  marked  difference  between  the 
looks  of  the  two  lads,  although  they  were  of 
nearly  the  same  age.  The  king's  son  was 
small  in  stature  and  of  dark  coloring.  His 
nose  was  narrow  and  fine  and  his  upper  lip 
short  and  haughty ;  but  the  brow  slanted  back 
under  the  serpent  diadem,  and  his  chin  was 
querulous  and  irresolute.  The  Hebrew  was 
tall  and  strong,  with  a  mighty  chest  and  up 
lifted  countenance.  His  eyes  were  blue  and 
his  hair  abundant  and  golden.  And  it  was 
on  his  face  that  the  eyes  of  the  old  prince  lin 
gered  as  he  entered  the  chamber. 

"  Hail  to  you,  son  of  Egypt's  lord !  "  he  said, 
spreading  his  hands  toward  them.  "  And  to 
you,  son  of  the  morning.  Peace  be  unto 
you." 


CT'HE   KISS 
±        OF 


He  smiled  a  little  at  the  fanciful  title  he 
bestowed  on  the  shepherd;  and  the  boy  met 
his  glance  with  a  quiver  at  his  young  heart. 
Here  was  his  uncle — the  generous,  passionate, 
all-forgiving  Esau,  who  had  been  tricked  and 
defrauded  by  his  brother  even  as  the  lad  had 
been  by  his.  He  felt  a  sudden  youthful  im 
pulse  to  throw  himself  upon  his  breast  and 
pour  out  his  sympathy ;  but  then  a  new  thought 
came  to  him  as  he  looked.  For  he  who  had 
gone  forth  with  a  belated  blessing  from  the 
tents  of  Isaac  was  now  ruler  of  a  mighty  na 
tion.  His  cheek  flushed  at  a  further  thought, 
and  he  smiled. 

But  Esau  had  sat  down  beside  the  prince 
and  was  talking  to  him  kindly.  The  old  man 
was  of  majestic  figure,  and  his  flowing  gar 
ments  of  snowy  linen  were  not  whiter  than  his 
beard  and  hair.  The  last  was  bound  by  a  sil 
ver  fillet  around  his  brow  and  hung  below  his 
shoulders. 

"  In  truth  it  seemed  a  poor  return  for  so 
much  kindness,"  he  was  saying  to  Mentu  tol 
erantly  ;  "  but  if  I  mistake  not  the  great  king, 


'HE    KISS 
OF    GLORY 


when  he  meets  his  broken  phalanxes,  will  be 
glad  to  learn  you  watched  in  safety  while  the 
battle  waged.  Take  comfort  to  your  heart, 
because  of  this;  and  I  will  grant  you  make 
complaint  with  reason.  Be  sure  this  will  not 
be  your  last  quick  capture  by  a  maid." 

He  laughed  in  his  beard,  nodding  merrily, 
and  then  continued :  "  But  lest  I  meet  disfavor 
in  her  eyes  and  have  to  buy  my  peace  with 
foolish  promises,  I  must  say  the  Princess 
Rhoda  sends  her  greeting  to  the  prince,  and 
bids  him  take,  with  them,  her  promised  free 
dom  for  himself  and  company." 

The  Egyptian  sprang  up  joyfully. 

"  My  thanks  are  yours,  O  prince  of  Edom," 
he  exclaimed ;  "  and  I  shall  have  such  words 
to  seek  my  father's  ears  as  may  for  ever  make 
a  peace  between  you.  But  I  would  see  the 
maiden  ere  we  leave." 

"  It  is  her  whim,"  replied  Esau,  "  to  ride 
with  you  and  this  young  archer  here  as  far  as 
the  ravine  through  which  your  army  passed. 
By  this  the  plain  of  Sela  hides  the  dead  and 
all  the  sand  is  yellow  in  the  light."  His  brow 


Ct-HE    KISS 

JL       OF   GLORT 


darkened  and  he  spoke  with  sadness,  but 
quickly  rallying  he  turned  to  Joseph  and  said : 

"  Your  cradle,  lad,  swung  not  in  Egypt. 
What  is  your  name?  " 

"  I  am  called  Dath,  son  of  Aman  the  Ara 
bian,"  replied  the  Hebrew  in  a  low  tone.  But 
the  keen  old  eyes  were  upon  him,  and  again  he 
felt  the  desire  to  throw  himself  upon  his 
breast.  Esau  answered: 

"  I  asked  not  what  you  are  called ;  but  who 
you  are."  Then,  half  to  himself,  continued: 
"  Has  Canaan  raised  her  whip  above  another 
son?" 

He  went  to  the  farther  window  and,  as 
though  he  had  expressed  his  wish,  the  boy 
followed  him.  Once  there,  their  eyes  met 
steadily. 

"  I  knew,"  said  the  old  man,  "  one  other 
face  like  yours;  somewhat  less  strong,  because 
it  was  a  woman's ;  but  not  less  comely.  Her 
name  was " 

The  boy's  eyes  swam  in  tears,  and  his  lips 
formed  involuntarily  one  whispered  word : 

"Rachel!" 


HE   KISS 
OF   GLORY 


Then,  with  no  other  sign,  the  old  hand 
caught  the  young  one  in  its  grasp. 

"  They  know  not,"  said  Joseph  hurriedly, 
with  a  glance  at  the  prince  and  his  officer,  now 
busy  with  the  plans  of  departure.  "  Betray 
me  not  to  them.  My  brothers  sold  me  to 
our  kinsman  Ishmael's  sons,  and  they  had  pity 
on  me,  and  made  me  free  to  win  revenge.  But 
Jacob  weeps  at  Hebron." 

His  voice  quivered  ;  but  the  eyes  under  the 
snowy  brows  glowed  like  coals. 

"  'Tis  Jacob's  time  for  tears,"  said  Esau. 
"  Are  you  the  youngest  of  his  sons?  " 

"  No.  Benjamin  is  scarcely  three  years  old. 
I  am  Joseph.  Give  me  your  blessing." 

He  fell  upon  his  knees,  and  Esau's  hand 
trembled  on  his  head;  then  he  sprang  to  his 
feet  and  stood  before  his  kinsman  proudly. 

The  latter's  eyes  grew  suddenly  dim,  and 
he  put  out  his  hand  to  detain  him. 

"  There  is  a  son's  place  at  my  side  for 
Rachel's  firstborn,"  he  said  with  emotion. 
"  Your  father  knew  it  not  ;  nor  did  she  see 
that  she  was  dearer  to  me  than  the  light  of 


CTHE  KISS 

±       OF   GLORT 


morning.  Stay  with  me  now,  and  let  my  fad 
ing  eyes  dwell  on  your  face  and  dream  that 
it  is  hers." 

Joseph  bent  and  pressed  his  fresh  lips  to  his 
uncle's  hand. 

"  My  heart  answers  you,  O  Esau,"  he  re 
plied,  "  but  something  within  me  urges  me  to 
Egypt.  I — "  He  stopped,  for  a  sudden 
clamor  of  voices  came  to  them  from  the  stair 
way. 

"  He  promised,  I  swear  to  you,  he  promised 
to  send  a  soothsayer,  and  it  is  now  beyond  the 
hour,"  rose  an  hysterical  complaint;  and  a 
dozen  other  voices  calling  "  peace  "  added  to 
the  uproar.  Esau  stepped  forward. 

"  What  is  it,  good  captain  ?  "  he  asked  of 
Potiphar.  And  the  officer  answered : 

"  Heed  it  not,  O  prince.  The  king's  baker 
has  had  a  vision  which  disturbs  him.  He  prays 
for  an  interpreter  of  dreams,  and  I  was 
pledged  to  ask  your  highness  for  the  services 
of  a  soothsayer.  Another  also  of  my  men 
has  had  some  troubled  night  thoughts." 


OF   GLORT 


205 


Esau  looked  perplexed,  and  combed  his 
beard  with  his  fingers  thoughtfully. 

"  The  wisest  seer  in  Edom  perished  in  the 
battle,"  he  said  at  last,  "  and  his  one  son,  who 
learned  his  art  from  him,  lies  in  grief's  cureless 
fever." 

Then  Joseph,  with  a  courteous  gesture  to 
ward  the  old  prince,  and  another  toward  the 
son  of  Pharaoh,  advanced  a  few  steps  and 
spoke  to  Potiphar. 

"  We  of  the  tents  of  Kedar  know  the  stars," 
he  said,  quietly  going  to  the  door ;  "  and  I 
have  won  some  praise  by  making  visions  plain. 
Where  are  the  men?  I  go  to  read  their 
dreams." 


CHAPTER   XVI 

The   Wife  of  Potiphar 

POTIPHAR  came  slowly  down  the  flight 
of  steps  which  led  from  the  king's  au 
dience  room  to  the  garden  and  walked 
toward   his    own   dwelling   which,    with   the 
houses  of  other  important  officers,  was  within 
the  half-square  of  the  palace  and  fronting  on 
the  royal  court. 

The  captain  was  deep  in  thought,  and  he 
gave  little  heed  to  the  people  who  hurried  by 
him  intent  on  their  various  duties  connected 
with  the  household;  and  when  a  group  of 
lawyers  in  their  scarlet  cloaks  stopped  to  tell 
him  the  latest  jest  which  they  had  seen  lam 
pooned  upon  the  wall,  he  smiled  absently,  giv 
ing  little  heed  to  what  was  said.  But  as  they 
left  him,  and  a  slender  boy,  who  sought  to 
hide  a  twisted  back  beneath  a  gay  coat,  ap 
proached,  he  paused  and  held  out  a  friendly 
hand. 


HE   KISS 
OF    GLORT 


"  Hail,  singer  of  Mizraim  !  "  he  called. 
"  Have  you  a  new  song  to  please  the  ears  of 
Taia's  ladies  that  you  are  hurrying  so  fast?  " 

The  lad  flushed  at  the  title  bestowed  half 
playfully  by  the  soldier;  but  he  answered 
seriously  : 

"  I  have  no  heart  for  framing  songs  of  mirth 
or  love,  my  captain.  My  thoughts  are  with 
our  legions.  Are  men  such  poor  and  miser 
able  things  that  thrice  a  thousand  lives  go  out 
like  candles  in  a  draught  and  leave  no  records 
after  them  ?  " 

"  Tis  theirs  to  do,  and  yours  to  sing  their 
deeds,"  answered  the  soldier  shortly.  Then, 
in  a  lower  tone,  he  continued  : 

"  They  were  brave  men  who  met  defeat  at 
Sela.  But  a  battle  is  one's  own  when  he  has 
lost  it.  A  victory  belongs  to  some  one  else. 
The  hearts  that  dare,  the  arms  that  strike, 
have  but  one  name,  and  that  is  Pharaoh.  But 
come,  what  brings  you  to  the  palace  ?  " 

"  The  summons  of  the  king.  I  thought 
mayhap  he  wished  a  funeral  hymn  for  those 
who  lost  their  lives  in  the  last  battle.'* 


onO  CT'HE   KISS 

*zUO  Ji        QF 


"  I  think  not  so,"  responded  Potiphar. 
"  More  likely  he  will  bid  you  weave  a  cunning 
strain  to  nerve  his  oarsmen  on  an  expedition. 
I  have  but  left  him  filled  with  plans  for  send 
ing  ships  to  Punt.  Indeed,  so  pleased  is  he 
with  the  new  venture  he  scarcely  gives  a 
thought  to  our  bereavements.  Take  my  ad 
vice,  and  say  nothing  of  past  sorrows  while 
your  king  is  planning  new  ones.  Fit  your 
song  to  the  beat  of  oars  and  the  swirl  of  waters 
and  the  thrill  of  conquests.  Say  no  word  of 
storms  or  shoals  or  swallowing  seas." 

He  smiled  on  the  poet  kindly,  and  said  as  he 
turned  away: 

"  To  the  palace  with  your  songs.  I  have 
sterner  things  to  occupy  me." 

The  captain  of  the  king's  troops  had  gone 
to  Pharaoh  dreading  the  effect  of  the  evil  news 
he  carried.  But  so  absorbed  was  the  ruler 
with  the  maps  and  charts  on  the  great  table 
before  him  that  he  gave  slight  heed  to  the 
report,  and  the  soldier  finished  it  without  in 
terruption.  Then  the  head  in  its  wig  of  gold 
lifted. 


HE  KISS 
OF  GLORT 


"  Said  you  not  my  son  rode  back  in 
safety?  "  questioned  Pharaoh. 

"  It  is  well  with  him,  O  king.  But  now  I 
saw  him  in  the  garden  with  his  mother." 

"  Then  make  an  end  of  this  long  story  of 
disaster  and  give  me  of  your  counsel.  Here 
are  the  parchments  that  my  seers  have  drawn 
to  show  my  kingdom  in  the  arms  of  seas, 
South  lies  the  land  of  Punt,  full  of  its  mines 
and  fields  of  riches  that  await  my  hand.  See 
here  the  course.  Shall  not  an  arm  as  long  as 
Pharaoh's  stretch  and  make  these  little  islands 
jewels  for  his  fingers?" 

The  soldier  bent  over  the  charts  and  fol 
lowed  with  attentive  eyes  the  trembling  tra 
cery  of  the  stylus  in  the  ruler's  hand.  Never 
before  had  he  seen  his  king  so  eager,  so  san 
guine  of  success,  so  filled  with  the  enthusiasm 
of  a  discoverer. 

"  The  expedition  tempts  my  fancy,"  he  con 
tinued.  "  I  would  that  I  might  lead  my  fleet 
and  have  a  part  in  the  adventures  that  the 
voyage  hazards.  Here  are  reports  from  my 
shipbuilders.  Three  of  the  five  new  galleys 

14 


cr>HE  KISS 

-L        OF    GLORT 


are  complete,  each  taking  thirty  oars  and 
winged  with  ample  sails.  I  need  but  give 
them  blood  and  breath.  And  for  that  we  must 
find  men  who  know  the  secrets  of  the  tides 
and  dare  to  find  the  path  of  our  Lord  Sun  be 
yond  the  brim  of  waters.  I  would,  good 
Potiphar,  that  I  might  go." 

The  king  rose  and  paced  the  room  in  ex 
citement,  and  then,  as  though  fretted  by  re 
straints,  he  unclasped  his  mantle  and  stood  be 
fore  his  officer  in  his  plain  tunic  of  white  silk, 
beneath  which  his  great  chest  showed  his  un 
used  muscles.  The  soldier  glanced  at  him 
admiringly. 

"  The  sceptre  robs  the  sword  in  you,  O 
Egypt !  "  he  exclaimed  impetuously,  and  then 
checked  himself,  murmuring  excuses.  But 
Pharaoh  seemed  not  ill-pleased  as  he  an 
swered  : 

"  Since  you  are  so  good  a  judge  of  men  of 
valor,  O  my  captain,  do  you  go  forth  and  en 
gage  me  sailors  for  this  enterprise." 

Potiphar  moved  toward  the  door,  but 
stopped  between  two  painted  columns  and 
looked  back  hesitatingly. 


rHE   KISS 
OF   GLORY 


"  What  is  it  you  would  say  ?  "  asked  the 
king,  noticing  his  manner.  "  Your  right 
to  open  speech  has  been  earned  and  granted." 
And  the  soldier  answered: 

"  What  promise,  O  protector  of  the  inno 
cent,  shall  I  bear  forth  to  stop  the  fears  of 
those  who  weep  in  Egypt?  " 

Pharaoh  turned  and  smiled  gratefully. 

"  Had  I  not  you  beside  me,  O  my  captain," 
he  said,  "  I  might  deserve  a  name  less  kind 
among  my  people.  Take  to  the  widows  and 
the  fatherless  the  tears  and  blessings  of  their 
king,  and  put  their  names  upon  a  monolith 
to  show  that  they  and  theirs  shall  be  my  wards 
while  I  am  Pharaoh." 

The  captain  went  out,  his  thanks  halted  by 
emotion ;  for  notwithstanding  the  seeming  in 
difference  of  his  king  he  knew  the  helpless 
wives  and  little  ones  would  not  be  left  to 
hunger.  So  it  was  he  had  walked  to  meet 
the  poet  hurrying  toward  the  palace. 

When  Potiphar  left  the  boy  he  continued 
his  way  to  his  house  thoughtfully.  He  had  in 
stalled  Joseph  in  his  office  when  the  army  had 


CjT>HE  KISS 

JL       OF   GLORT 


returned  from  the  red  hills,  and  he  was  as 
sured  the  young  archer  would  be  of  assistance 
to  him  in  the  execution  of  the  new  and  ardu 
ous  commissions.  He  ascended  the  stairs  and 
passed  through  the  deserted  corridor,  stop 
ping  to  loose  his  sword  and  lay  it  on  a  chair 
before  sweeping  aside  the  arras  and  entering 
the  official  chamber.  But  there,  with  his  hand 
on  the  curtain,  he  stopped  at  the  sound  of  his 
own  name  on  the  lips  of  the  Hebrew. 

"  Say  not  so,  O  wife  of  Potiphar,"  said  the 
lad,  evidently  in  answer  to  some  complaint. 
"  He  dreams  of  you  upon  the  battle  eve,  and 
all  his  victories  are  for  you  as  well  as  for 
Mizraim  -  " 

"  He  loves  me  not,"  interrupted  the  sol 
dier's  wife  sullenly.  "  All  day  I  sit  alone 
while  he  is  off  to  his  wars  or  planning  business 
with  the  king.  And,  like  you,  I  am  a 
stranger  -  " 

Her  voice  broke  in  a  childish  sob,  and  the 
hand  on  the  curtain  outside  clenched  in  2 
closer  hold.  For  a  moment  a  vision  crossec 
the  mind  of  the  listener.  He  had  gatherec 


rHE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


her  from  a  full-blossomed  tree  in  a  garden 
of  Tyre — and  here  she  was  alone.  Then  he 
heard  the  soft  murmur  of  silken  garments 
crossing  the  floor. 

"  Be  not  so  cold/'  continued  the  soft  tones. 
"  So  faint  and  weak  a  thing  as  this  poor  hand 
would  cast  away  its  jewels  just  to  wear  your 
kiss.  Come,  sit  beside  me.  Talk  to  me  of 
love." 

The  soldier  outside  reached  for  his  sword 
and  drew  it  from  its  scabbard  silently.  Then, 
as  he  again  caught  the  arras  in  his  grasp,  he 
heard  the  Hebrew's  rough  protest : 

"  Take  your  arm  from  my  neck,  wife  of  my 
friend.  Only  before  his  eyes  will  I  kiss  your 
hand.  In  the  tents  we  learn  not  to  betray." 

Zerel  drew  her  arm  away  fiercely,  carrying 
with  it  the  light  mantle  he  had  worn  across 
his  shoulder.  Her  black  eyes  narrowed  to 
lines  of  flame,  but  as  she  was  about  to  speak 
a  slight  sound  startled  her,  and  she  looked  up 
to  see  Potiphar  standing  in  the  door  with  his 
unsheathed  sword  in  his  hand  and  his  glance 
upon  the  mantle  still  hanging  in  her  fingers. 


214  T 


HE    KISS 
OF    GLORT 


Her  frightened  gaze  followed  his  to  the  He 
brew,  who  stood  looking  with  direct  and 
steady  eyes  full  in  his  captain's  face.  For  a 
moment  her  heart  stopped  in  terror.  Then 
her  wit  leaped  to  her  rescue.  She  lifted  her 
head  and  walked  toward  the  soldier. 

"  You  timed  your  coming  well,  my  hus 
band,"  she  said ;  "  but  now  I  seized  this  gar 
ment  from  this  froward  shepherd's  shoulder 
that  I  might  show  it  you  when  I  accused  him." 

"  Of  what  will  you  accuse  him?  " 

The  Hebrew  made  a  quick  gesture  of  sur 
prise,  but  seeing  the  look  on  Potiphar's  face, 
he  stepped  back  and  folded  his  arms  over  his 
breast  in  silence. 

"  Of  what  will  you  accuse  him?  "  repeated 
the  captain,  with  his  eyes  bent  on  her  face. 
"  The  fault  must  be  a  grave  one  if  your 
mother-heart  makes  no  excuses  for  him.  But 
tell  it  me  " — she  put  her  hand  to  her  throat, 
as  if  to  press  back  her  sobs — "  and  I  will  take 
revenge,  and  call  our  son  in  here  to  see  that 
I  have  killed  his  saviour.  Speak !  " 

Zerel,  white  with  an  emotion  overwhelm- 


rHE   KISS 
OF   GLORr 


ing  in  intensity,  tried  to  speak.  But  her 
breath  came  in  quick  gasps,  and  she  cowered 
under  the  sad  gaze  bent  upon  her.  Potiphar 
stepped  forward  to  support  her,  but  she  waved 
him  back.  Then  with  more  courage  than  he 
had  ever  known  in  the  wild  shock  of  battle, 
she  controlled  her  trembling  limbs  and  stood 
upright,  stretching  out  her  hand  and  point 
ing  toward  Joseph : 

"  I  accuse  him,"  she  said,  and  her  voice 
rang  through  the  room,  "  of  faithfulness  to  his 
duty.  And  commend  him,  my  lord,  to  your 
benefits,"  She  stopped  with  a  sob,  and  then 
added :  "  And  now  let  me  go  hence.  I,  a 
mother  who  could  forget  her  child !  " 

She  threw  out  her  arms  with  a  gesture  of 
self-reproach  and  misery,  and  walked  with 
bowed  head  toward  the  door.  But  the  cheeks 
of  the  grim  soldier  were  wet  with  tears  as  he 
strode  across  and  took  her  in  his  arms.  The 
clang  of  the  sword  as  it  fell  to  the  marble  floor 
made  Joseph  raise  his  head.  A  moment  he 
hesitated;  then  he  walked  out  of  the  place 
silently;  and  Potiphar  held  his  wife  to  his 
breast. 


HE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


"  I,  too,  am  much  to  blame,"  he  said,  bro 
kenly.  "I  was  without  and  heard  you  say  I  did 
not  love  you.  O  Zerel,  lonely  little  heart, 
faint  with  its  store  of  unclaimed  love,  my  sin 
against  you  is  of  deeper  dye  than  your  weak, 
woman  wickedness.  O  homesick  little 
stranger,  this  breast  will  be  a  warmer  shelter 
for  you  now.  I  will  forgive  you  for  that  sud 
den  wrong  if  you  can  pardon  me  for  leaving 
your  soft  lips  for  the  hoarse  call  of  war-pipes. 
Come,  let  us  walk.  Nay,  do  not  tremble  now. 
I  will  lay  aside  this  buckler  that  I  may  feel  you 
closer  at  my  side." 

He  unstrapped  the  silver-studded  shield 
he  wore  upon  his  breast  and  threw  it  down 
beside  his  sword.  Then,  with  his  arm  around 
her  and  her  long  garments  murmuring  and 
swirling  around  his  mailed  sandals,  they  went 
through  the  door. 


CHAPTER   XVII 

In  the  Shawl  Tents 

TEN  thousand  shawl-tents  in  the  shade 
of  the  Vale  of  Gilead  looked  like  a 
garden  of  flowers  to  the  young- 
traveller  coming  out  of  the  forest  above,  and 
pausing  for  a  moment  to  look  down  on  the 
scene. 

Over  the  hills  that  kneel  to  Lebanon  ran  the 
new  f oliaged  vines ;  young  wheat  rose  bravely 
on  the  gray,  volcanic  soil  of  the  plateaus,  and 
between  the  dwarf  oaks,  terebinths,  and  pines 
the  olive  orchards  and  the  groves  of  palms 
and  lemon  trees  waved  ribbons  of  radiant 
bloom. 

The  man  gave  his  horse  the  urging  of  his 
hand.  Turning  the  small,  intelligent  head 
gently  toward  a  scarcely  perceptible  opening 
in  the  underbrush  through  which  a  path  must 
be  picked  to  the  valley,  and  slowly,  but  with 
much  delicate  lifting  and  balancing  of  the  fine 


OTo  or* HE  KISS 

^±O  J.       OF   GLORT 

feet  and  graceful  manoeuvres  to  avoid  the 
treacherous  rocks,  the  great  black  steed 
descended  the  height  and  entered  the  village 
of  Aman. 

In  the  pavilion  of  the  chief,  Layah  sat  with 
her  daughter.  The  girl  was  taller  than  when 
she  had  seen  the  battle-cars  of  Pharaoh  leave 
Tan  is  for  Edom,  and  her  head  was  lifted  like 
a  lily  on  a  stem. 

Layah  looked  up  from  stringing  the  pearls 
for  her  embroidery  and  said: 

"  Sing,  daughter  of  Aman.  Why  are  you 
silent  when  the  other  birds  are  merry  ?  You 
used  to  weave  a  song  as  swiftly  as  I  cross  the 
golden  thread  along  the  border  of  a  garment. 
But  now  are  you  strangely  still.  What  grief 
have  you,  O  little  one  ?  " 

She  leaned,  mother-wise,  to  lay  her  arm 
around  Louimma's  neck.  But  the  maiden 
looked  up  brightly. 

"  Tell  me,  O  little  mother,"  she  said  sud 
denly,  "  what  know  you  of  the  Hebrews  ?  " 

"  The  Hebrews?  I  think  your  father  has 
some  commerce  with  them.  Their  black 


rtiE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


tents  are  in  Canaan,  through  which  we  passed 
when  we  went  down  to  Egypt.  But  of  their 
ways  and  looks  I  cannot  speak.  Stay !  Was 
not  the  lad  who  joined  our  caravan  of  some 
such  tribe  ?  " 

"  In  truth,  yes ;  and  he  told  me  something 
of  their  ways  that  made  me  wonder.  There 
was  among  them  a  man  who  loved  a  maid  and 
waited  seven  and  twice  seven  years  before  he 
went  to  claim  her.  Among  no  other  people 
in  the  land  is  there  such  patience.  But  think 
you  he  would  be  so  witless  as  to  wait  like 
that?" 

"  I  know  not,"  answered  Layah,  uncon 
cerned  ;  "  but  it  is  said  that  sons  are  often  like 
their  mothers.  I  doubt  if  women  are  content 
to  dally  so  with  time.  But  since  you  bring 
the  matter  of  the  lad  back  to  my  mind,  he 
promised  me  to  meet  us  here  in  Gilead." 

"  And  so  said  he  to  me,"  said  Louimma; 
"  and  I  told  him  that  he  would  not  come. 
But  did  you  think  him  of  so  little  spirit  as  to 
let  a  girl's  weak  words  come  true?  What 
think  you  of  a  man  who  hears  a  maiden  boast 


Cr*HE   KISS 

±        OF   GLORT 


and  shows  her  not  that  she  speaks  foolishly? 
I  told  him  that  he  would  not  come,  and  he  has 
not!  Were  I  a  tall  young  shepherd,  and  a 
little  maid  said  that  a  thing  must  come  to 
pass,  I  would  not  rest  until  I  proved  her 
error." 

Layah  laughed  softly. 

"  Peace,  prattler !  "  she  said.  "  Men  little 
understand  such  reasoning.  They  strive  to 
be  proved  right,  in  any  case;  we,  if  we  love, 
would  rather  be  proved  wrong — if  we  have 
chosen  to  take  sides  against  them  in  their 
arguments." 

"  Of  course,"  answered  Louimrna.  "  We 
like  not  to  be  winners  in  so  poor  a  fight. 
There  is  (I  have  seen  it  oft  in  women's  eyes) 
something  of  pain  in  victory.  But  mark.  If 
ever  man  comes  to  this  tent  to  woo,  and  seeks 
to  bend  his  will  to  mine,  instead  of  making  my 
half-frighted  heart  obey  him,  I  will  not  listen 
though  his  promises  are  music.  I  care  not  if 
I  never  see  the  Hebrew  youth  again " 

She  stopped,  startled,  to  see  the  richly- 
colored  drapery  of  the  door  drawn  aside  with 


'HE   KISS 
OF  GLORr 


a  hand  that  showed  no  sign  of  patience,  and 
as  Joseph — bronzed  and  dressed  as  a  traveller 
— entered  and  stood  smiling  down  at  her,  she 
cried  joyfully : 

"  He  has  come,  little  mother !  "  And  with 
a  note  of  triumph  added:  "  Said  I  not  so?  " 

"  You  said  I  would  not,  if  I  heard  aright," 
he  laughed,  raising  her  hand  to  his  forehead. 

After  the  greetings  had  been  said  and 
Layah  had  exclaimed  over  the  growth  of  the 
young  Hebrew  in  the  years  of  their  separation, 
she  raised  a  golden  trumpet  to  her  lips  and 
sent  one  musical  note  piercing  the  distance. 
"  That  will  bring  Aman  homeward  as  fast  as 
the  feet  of  the  steed  of  the  desert  may  fly," 
she  said.  "  His  arms  have  yearned  for  you 
as  for  a  son." 

"  And  mine  for  his,  as  son  for  father,  O 
Layah,"  he  answered,  with  emotion.  "  In  all 
that  I  have  done  his  name  has  blessed  me. 
There  has  not  been  a  day  in  all  this  time  my 
heart  has  not  sought  shelter  in  this  vale." 

He  looked  at  Louimma  as  he  spoke,  and 
her  cheek  paled  as  she  went  hastily  out  to 
prepare  refreshment  for  him. 


222 


"  I  told  you  that  each  time  the  curtains 
stirred  and  fell  we  should  look  up  for  you," 
said  Layah.  "  They  have  been  troubled  many 
times  and  we  were  half  despairing." 

"  My  time  has  been  the  king's,"  he  an 
swered.  "  A  year  in  Punt,  heaping  the  ships 
of  Pharaoh  with  strange  merchandise  and 
slaves;  another  year  trying  to  keep  what  he 
had  won,  with  every  changing  fortune.  Now 
peace  is  in  the  land,  and  I  made  use  of  my 
short  liberty  to  come  where  all  my  heart  has 
led.  Hark,  heard  you  not  a  horse  urged  at 
full  speed?" 

"  Your  ears  are  quick,  O  archer,"  she  re 
plied.  "  I  hear  no  sound." 

"  My  pulse  is  tuned  to  the  trample  of 
steeds,"  he  cried,  running  outside  and  scan 
ning  the  distant  plain  eagerly.  Then  he 
stretched  his  arms  and  ran  toward  the  man 
and  horse  coming  toward  him,  and  in  a  few 
moments  Aman,  with  a  cry  of  joy,  sprang 
down,  and  the  two  were  locked  in  a  warm 
embrace. 

Once  and  again  the  chief  raised  his  head  and 


r 


HE   KISS 


pushed  the  young  man  away  to  get  a  good 
view  of  him,  and  as  often  drew  him  close  to 
his  breast  in  pride;  and  then,  talking  and 
clasping  hands  and  stopping  to  gaze  again  at 
each  other,  they  finally  came  up  to  the  tent 
where  the  women  waited  with  the  viands. 

"  Egypt  has  left  no  blight  upon  you,  son 
of  Jacob,"  said  the  chief,  regarding  him 
thoughtfully  ;  and  the  young  man  answered  : 

"  Call  me  not  that.  The  name  pricks  in  my 
heart  with  its  sharp  memory.  I  have  one 
given  me  in  selfless  love  that  I  would  bear 
through  life.  My  name,  O  chief,  is  Dath, 
son  of  Aman  of  Arabia." 

"  So  let  it  be,"  said  the  Arabian  ;  and  lean 
ing  forward  he  solemnly  kissed  him. 

"  And  now  for  the  adventures,"  he  con 
tinued  in  a  lighter  tone.  "  Come  in,  Lou- 
imma,  little  one;  I  never  knew  a  gentle  dove 
like  you  without  a  taste  for  battles.  Sit  by 
my  side." 

She  nestled  down  beside  him  and  Layah, 
still  threading  the  pearls,  turned  a  mild,  listen 
ing  look  toward  the  young  man,  who  finished 


S  KISS 

OF  GLORT 


his  repast  and  answered  by  recounting  the  ex 
pedition  against  Edom  and  the  defeat  of  the 
army  of  Pharaoh — not  forgetting  the  part 
the  red-haired  princess  had  in  keeping  him 
with  his  prince  a  spectator  instead  of  a  com 
batant  on  that  occasion.  Layah  and  her 
daughter  were  greatly  interested  in  this  part 
of  the  narrative,  and  frequently  interposed 
sharp  exclamations.  But  when  he  dwelt 
•upon  Rhoda's  beauty,  the  desert  maid  seemed 
little  pleased.  Although  Layah  shook  her 
pink-tipped  finger  at  him  merrily. 

"  I  warrant  that  you  left  your  heart  with 
your  fair  kinswoman,"  she  said.  But  Joseph 
answered : 

"  Not  so,  O  wife  of  Aman.  I  took  it  not 
to  Sela  with  me.  But  my  prince,  much  to  the 
joy  of  Pharaoh,  who  would  make  lasting  peace 
with  Edorn,  will  shortly  take  the  maid  to 
wife." 

"  Some  rumors  reached  us  by  the  caravans 
that  Mentu  loved  the  High  Priest's  daugh 
ter,"  said  Aman ;  and  Joseph,  embarrassed  for 
an  answer,  at  length  said  blushingly: 


IE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


"  He  does — at  least  he  did.  But  he  no 
sooner  saw  the  princess  than  the  memory  of 
Asenath  faded  as  the  moon  at  sunrise." 

Aman  looked  up  with  an  understanding 
eye.  But  Louimma  pouted : 

"  I  like  not  your  prince,"  and  went  over  to 
lean  against  her  mother. 

"  The  king  opposed  his  marriage  to  the 
High  Priest's  daughter,"  resumed  Joseph; 
"  and  it  is  said  the  lady  had  no  love  to  give  the 
prince,  and  only  yielded  to  her  father's  great 
ambition  when  she  gave  her  promise.  But 
now  Pentephres  has  sworn  before  the  sun 
that  he  will  not  allow  the  marriage  to  be  made 
with  Esau's  daughter  until  Asenath  takes  a 
husband  of  as  high  a  rank  as  that  of  the  young 
prince." 

"  Then  must  she  go  unwedded  to  the 
tomb,"  sighed  Layah.  "  For  who  is  there  in 
Egypt  of  such  great  estate  ?  " 

"  No  other  one,"  answered  the  Hebrew. 
"  And  the  king  is  sick  concerning  the  whole 
matter." 

"  Is  the  girl  well-favored?  "  asked  the  chiei 
And  Joseph  said : 


Cj-HE   KISS 

±       OF  GLORT 


"  I  have  not  seen  her,  but  her  fame  has  gone 
through  all  the  land  for  goodness  as  for 
beauty.  She  does  not  want  the  prince,  and 
says  so  stoutly.  But  Pharaoh  dreads  the  ven 
geance  of  the  Priest  of  On,  and  so  the  mar 
riage  waits." 

"  I  doubt  not  you  have  seen  strange  sights 
in  all  your  travels,"  observed  Aman,  changing 
the  subject.  "  What  new  adventure  followed 
on  the  heels  of  the  defeat  at  Edom?  " 

"  When  we  returned  to  Tanis,"  answered 
the  young  man,  "  it  seemed  Apepi  scarcely 
mourned  his  legions,  so  deep  was  he  in  plans 
for  kingdom  stretching.  The  ships  —  long 
building  by  the  sea  —  were  now  complete,  and 
he  made  haste  to  test  their  keels  upon  the 
beat  of  waters.  We  started  with  a  fleet  ;  each 
galley  taking  thirty  oars  and  purple,  silken 
wings  for  swifter  flying  when  the  gales  fa 
vored.  And  with  the  prince  to  lead  and  a 
strong  company  of  soldiers  to  attend,  we 
sailed  by  the  Red  Sea  southward  to  Punt, 
where  we  bought  ivory  from  the  little  people 
who  seem  to  have  much  skill  in  trapping  ele- 


HE   KISS 
OF   GLORY 


phants.  We  made  our  mission  peaceful  with 
gifts;  established  trade  in  spices,  ebony, 
gold,  and  precious  stones,  and  brought  whole 
trees  from  out  their  incense  forests  to  bloom 
in  the  gardens  of  the  Nile." 

"  A  task  of  difficulty,  I  doubt  not,  O  my 
son,"  said  Aman.  "  How  were  the  branches 
kept  alive  to  grow  again  throughout  the  voy 
aging?" 

"  We  raised  them  with  their  earth  about 
their  roots  and  carried  them  as  monarchs 
should  be  borne  —  on  litters  to  the  galleys. 
There,  standing  upright  in  a  sheltered  place, 
well  screened  by  awnings,  they  bore  the  rock 
ing  of  the  waves  with  no  complaint,  and  lived 
to  gladden  Pharaoh." 

The  day  had  now  advanced  toward  evening 
and  as  slaves  entered  the  pavilion  with  lamps, 
Layah  and  Louimma  went  into  the  adjoining 
room  to  lay  fresh  flowers  on  the  table  before 
the  chief  and  their  guest  should  join  them  at 
supper.  And  when  the  garlands  were  all  laid 
in  place,  the  little  mother,  with  a  smile  of 
tenderness,  reached  and  put  a  rose  in  her  tall 
daughter's  hair. 


CHAPTER   XVIII 

The  Garden  of  Love 

'  "IT  IT  TELL  ?  "    asked     Louimma,    and 
\/  \/      Joseph  laughed. 

"  So  said  you  when  I  told  a 
tale  that  night  I  first  saw  Egypt.  Do  you 
remember  ?  It  was  about  a  lamb.  And  when 
my  tongue  had  used  all  its  poor  words  and  had 
no  more  to  say  you  fell  to  beating  me." 

The  girl  answered  his  smile  and  said : 

"  And  now,  when  you  no  longer  measure 
with  your  shepherd  staff,  and  seem  to  have 
as  full  a  quiver  of  good  words  as  then  you 
had  of  arrows,  you  cannot  speak  to  me." 

Joseph  looked  down  on  her  silently  as  they 
walked  between  the  hedges  of  pink  oleanders 
in  the  path  by  the  lake.  For  a  moment  he 
covld  not  control  his  voice,  and  then  he  said 
softly : 

"  I  know  not  why  it  is,  O  little  one,  but  all 
my  speech  melts  into  silence  when  I  look  at 


r 


HE   KISS 

OF  GLORT 


you.  There  is  so  much  my  heart  leaps  up  to 
say,  and  yet  it  waits  as  though  no  words  were 
fashioned  for  its  meaning." 

They  stood  now  in  the  soft  and  fragrant 
shadows  of  the  trees;  her  eyes  were  hidden 
from  his  gaze  and  her  scarf  trembled  on  her 
bosom. 

"  Last  night,"  he  said,  "  I  slept  this  side 
the  river  Jordan  upon  a  stone  the  gentle  earth 
had  veiled  with  mosses,  and  thrice  I  wakened 
at  the  sound  of  music  within  the  rock  beneath 
me.  I  asked  a  shepherd  for  the  secret  of  the 
vocal  stone,  but  he  could  not  tell  me;  and  so 
I  made  a  reason.  Once  the  sad  hollow  in  its 
breast  was  filled  by  some  sweet  song  poured 
by  a  bulbul  for  the  ear  of  spring,  and  since 
the  pretty  sound  has  been  a  prisoner.  'Tis 
so  with  your  soft  name,  O  daughter  of  my 
friend;  and  who  would  lay  a  head  upon  my 
breast  would  hear  my  heart  for  ever  saying 
it." 

He  reached  out  his  arms  and  drew  her  close 
that  she  might  listen.  And  she  made  no  com 
plaint  at  the  strong  surging  of  the  heart  be- 


cr>HE  KISS 

-L       OF   GLORT 


neath  her  ear,  and  his  lips  fell  on  the  rose  in 
her  shining  hair,  and  then  on  the  cheek  that 
rivalled  it. 

"  You  knew  that  I  would  come?  "  he  asked 
tenderly.  And  she  answered,  with  a  touch  of 
her  old  sauciness: 

"  I  feared  you  might  have  such  sad  patience 
as  your  father's.  And  so  in  truth  it  seemed, 
you  stayed  so  long  away.  But  tell  me  now, 
and  thrice  a  day  for  every  day  I  live,  how  do 
you  love  me?  " 

"  As  Jacob  loved  his  Rachel,"  he  answered 
reverently.  "  And  now  must  I  ask  of  the 
friend,  who  has  given  me  so  much,  his  great 
est  treasure.  I  will  take  you  to  your  mother. 
It  is  her  right  to  hear  the  story  first." 

They  walked  with  their  young  arms  en 
twined  to  the  entrance  to  Layah's  pavilion, 
and  then,  taking  the  rose  from  her  hair  and 
placing  it  in  his  bosom,  he  left  her  to  go  with 
his  hope  to  Aman. 

The  chief  rose  from  his  cushions  as  Joseph 
entered. 

"  Come  here,  my  son,  and  sit  at  my  right 


CT'HE  KISS 
JL     OF  GLORT 


hand,"  he  said  ;  "  for  there  do  I  desire  to  keep 
you.  Hark,  we  can  hear  the  sistrums  from 
the  women's  tent.  It  seems  to-night  Lou- 
imma's  heart  has  some  new  melody." 

He  glanced  at  Joseph  with  a  smile  inviting 
confidence;  but  the  Hebrew  answered: 

"  Some  little  business  have  I  with  you,  O 
my  friend,  before  I  speak  of  all  I  wish  to  tell 
you.  And  that  concerns  the  purse  you  put 
in  Levi's  hand  that  day  at  Dothan." 

The  Arab  made  a  gesture  of  aversion,  but 
the  young  man  urged  gently  : 

"  Humor  my  wish,  O  chief.  I  cannot  come 
to  you  a  slave  upon  this  other  matter;  and 
such  the  law  must  hold  me  despite  your  gene 
rosity." 

Aman  laid  his  arm  around  the  speaker's 
shoulders. 

"  I  paid  the  wolfish  shepherd  twenty  pieces 
of  silver,"  he  said,  "  and  gained  from  him  a 
son  to  carry  my  name  with  honor  into  battle. 
Let  there  be  no  talk  of  that  transaction  be 
tween  you  and  me.  See  -  " 

He  drew  Joseph  to  the  opening  of  the  tent 


'HE   KISS 


and  swept  his  hand  over  the  valley  now  mur 
muring  with  the  sound  of  voices  and  instru 
ments  which  arose  from  the  tents. 

"  All  this  is  mine,  and  thrice  ten  thousand 
spears  would  catch  the  moonlight  on  their 
burnished  points  at  the  first  call  of  yonder 
trumpet.  My  cattle  roam  upon  the  farthest 
hills;  my  caravans  are  ever  on  the  way  be 
tween  Damascus  and  the  land  of  Egypt.  All 
this  is  mine,  and  yours " 

He  stopped  abruptly,  and  Joseph  laid  his 
face  down  on  his  shoulder.  When  he  raised 
it  tears  shone  in  the  soft  golden  beard  upon 
his  cheeks ;  but  he  shook  his  head,  answering, 
as  he  pressed  the  money-bag  in  Aman's  hand : 

"  Receive  the  price,  O  chief,  that  I  may 
give  myself  to  you.  This  is  my  purchase 
money,  won  in  fair  services  to  Pharaoh;  and 
now,  a  free  man,  I  ask  your  light  of  life — the 
little  maiden  singing  in  her  mother's  tent — 
to  be  my  own." 

The  Arab  took  him  in  his  strong  embrace 
and  blessed  him. 

"  Be  it  even  as  you  wish,  O  beloved,"  he 


rHE  KISS 
OF   GLORT 


said  with  emotion.  Then,  while  music 
sounded  through  the  camp  and  snatches  of 
happy  laughter  and  bits  of  song  came  to  them 
from  the  distance,  the  two  men  talked  to 
gether  in  the  unlighted  tent  of  all  that  had 
occurred  of  moment  during  the  time  of  their 
separation.  Aman  listened  to  the  young 
man's  description  of  his  meeting  with  Esau 
with  marked  interest. 

"  And  so  it  was  a  woman's  eyes  which 
turned  his  wrath  to  pity  that  day  beyond  Jor 
dan,"  he  said  musingly.  And  then,  as  he 
caught  Joseph's  inquiring  look,  continued: 

"  You  know,  O  son,  there  was  no  love  be 
tween  the  heirs  of  Isaac — your  father  and 
your  uncle.  Their  glances  struck  a  flame  when 
they  were  face  to  face ;  and  from  the  time  the 
two  had  parted  in  their  father's  tent  they  had 
not  met  until  the  day  I  mentioned.  I  chanced 
to  be  with  a  laden  caravan  bound  westward, 
when  Jacob,  with  his  household  and  flocks  and 
herds,  was  going  back  to  Canaan.  The  slaves 
crossed  first,  and  when  the  sandals  of  the  litter 
bearers  had  left  the  Jordan,  those  who  had 


21  A  <J"HE   KISS 


OF    GLORT 


gone  ahead  came  riding  back  in  haste,  calling 
to  Jacob : 

"  '  Your  brother  comes  with  thrice  a  hun 
dred  men  with  spears  and  arrows.'  And  even 
as  they  spoke  Esau  and  his  horsemen  came 
into  sight,  and  the  light  glistened  upon  their 
lances.  Never  had  I  seen  your  father  fear 
till  then.  Hastily  he  gathered  his  company, 
and  sent  truce-bearers  ahead  with  gifts  and 
offers  of  friendship.  But  if  ever  anger  burned 
beneath  a  shield  it  was  in  Esau's  breast.  Un 
heeding  Jacob's  embassy  of  peace,  he  swept 
on  to  his  late  vengeance.  And  such  was  his 
mad  haste,  lashed  by  the  sudden  memory  of 
his  wrongs,  I  doubt  not  that  his  sword  would 
have  found  sheath  within  the  heart  of  Jacob 
had  not  Rachel,  with  a  child  upon  her  breast, 
rushed  in  between  them.  I  saw  her  for  a  mo 
ment  while  the  sword  trembled  above  her, 
and  she  was  fairer  than  the  dawn ;  and  then  I 
heard  a  clang  as  the  blade  fell  harmless  on  the 
highway.  He  turned  and  made  a  gesture  to 
his  host,  and  all  along  his  lines  spears  kissed 
the  sands,  while  the  horses  reared  back  under 


HE    KISS 
OF   GLORT 


the  sudden  tightening  of  their  bridles.  Then 
the  red  prince  leaped  to  earth,  and  Jacob, 
unresisted,  fell  upon  his  bosom.  But  I  saw 
Esau's  gaze  as  it  lifted  above  his  brother's 
shoulder  and  rested  on  the  woman." 

"  Then  I  have  twice  been  kept  unharmed 
beneath  my  uncle's  sword,"  said  Joseph  ;  "  for 
I  am  he  who  rested  on  that  mother-breast 
throughout  that  journey  from  the  tents  of 
Laban.  But  tell  me,  O  my  friend,  have  you 
heard  aught  by  caravan  or  courier  of  those 
who  dwell  at  Hebron  ?  My  heart  would  drink 
of  news  as  desert  travellers  lap  water,  in  what 
ever  pool  I  find  it." 

"  A  merchant  buying  lentisk  gum  and 
spices  brought  me  trifling  rumors  from  the 
place  a  year  ago,"  answered  the  Arab. 
"  Jacob  lives,  but  as  one  who  walks  with  sor 
row.  The  youngest  boy  —  your  brother  Ben 
jamin  —  leaves  not  his  side  for  fear  some  harm 
may  come  to  him;  and  it  is  said  each  season 
when  the  harvesters  go  to  the  threshing  floors 
the  sons  of  Jacob  blight  the  merry-making 
with  sad  looks.  Now  and  again  I  hear  that 


236  T 


HE   KISS 
OF    G-LORT 


they  are  seeking  me — perchance  to  learn 
some  news  of  you.  But  I  have  little  wish  to 
see  or  pity  them." 

Joseph  looked  up  with  emotion. 

"  Let  me  go  hence,  O  friend,"  he  cried,  "  to 
comfort  him  who  loved  me,  and  pour  the  balm 
of  my  forgiveness  in  my  brothers'  breasts.  I 
will  not  stay.  My  staff  has  blossomed  into  a 
sword.  But  let  me  go  and  dry  that  old  man's 
tears,  and  then  I  will  return  to  you." 

"  Take  back  your  love,  O  son  of  Israel," 
Aman  cried  bitterly.  "  I  share  not  with  the 
Hebron  shepherds.  Between  the  sons  of 
Isaac  and  the  sons  of  Ishmael  there  is  a  stream 
of  hate.  It  is  for  you  to  choose  between  us 
now,  and  by  that  choice  abide.  Speak !  " 

Joseph  had  sprung  to  his  feet  at  the  first 
sign  of  anger  in  the  chief's  voice,  and  now 
opened  his  arms  and  ran  to  embrace  him. 
But  before  he  had  reached  his  breast  a  cry 
came  to  them,  full  of  terror  and  agony,  and 
Louimma,  white  as  the  lilies  she  had  gathered 
and  still  held  in  her  hands,  rushed  into  the 
tent  and  fell  in  the  arms  outstretched  toward 
the  Hebrew. 


HE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


Layah  followed,  running,  and  calling 
shrilly  : 

"  A  serpent  has  stung  her,  O  husband  —  a 
serpent  in  the  garden  of  lilies  !  "  And  women 
slaves  crowded  in,  wailing  and  crying  in  wild 
est  confusion  and  alarm.  But  Aman,  with 
stricken  looks,  swept  his  arm  outward,  and 
as  they  left  he  laid  the  girl  on  a  couch  and 
bent  over  her  to  find  the  wound,  which  was 
above  the  string  of  jingling  bells  around  her 
slender  ankle. 

Two  faint  purple  marks  showed  where  the 
fangs  had  pierced  the  tender  flesh,  and  as 
Layah,  weeping,  hurriedly  loosed  the  anklet, 
Joseph  sank  to  his  knees  and  put  his  lips  to 
the  place,  drawing  the  poison  out  with  suc 
tion,  while  Aman  sank  beside  him,  pale  and 
speechless,  and  stroked  with  his  strong,  brown 
fingers  the  little  sun-stained  hand.  And  for 
a  moment  there  was  no  sound  to  break  the 
sudden  overwhelming  silence  as  the  three 
who  loved  her  best  bent  over  the  girl. 

But  now  the  tent-folds  opened  quickly  and 
a  slave  woman  came  in  with  a  bowl  full  of 


238  T 


HE    KISS  ~ 
OF   GLORT 


violets.  Turning  these  upon  a  tray,  she  cut 
and  kneaded  them  into  a  fragrant  pulp  with 
their  green  leaves,  and  spread  them  on  a 
strip  of  linen.  This  done,  she  touched  Joseph 
on  the  shoulder,  and  when  he  lifted  his 
head  she  examined  the  wound  and  laid  the 
cool  poultices  upon  it.  Then,  nodding  hope 
fully  toward  the  anxious  watchers,  she  went 
out  as  quietly  as  she  had  come.  Layah  looked 
up  a  little  later  and  smiled  through  her  tears 
at  Joseph,  for  the  girl  had  opened  her  eyes. 
But  Aman,  after  a  swift  glance  at  the  orbs 
that  had  been  like  the  stars  of  heaven  to  him, 
rose  and  went  outside  of  the  tent  and  paced 
the  sands.  Inside  he  heard  Layah's  cooing 
love  tones  as  she  brooded  over  her  child,  and 
now  and  then  the  deeper  tones  of  the  young 
lover. 

"  Where  are  you,  father  of  the  desert  star?" 
called  the  little  mother.  "  Come  and  see  what 
magic  lurked  in  Habba's  poultices.  Louimma 
is  awake.  And  yet  I  think  she  walks  with 
dreams,  for  her  eyes  are  strangers  to  me. 
Speak,  little  one !  See  here  our  lion  slayer !  " 


rHE   KISS 
OF  GLORT 


She  shook  her  gently  by  the  shoulder,  but 
the  girl  lay  with  a  strange  smile  on  her  face 
and  did  not  seem  to  see  her. 

"  Look,  daughter  of  Aman,"  persisted 
Layah,  a  note  of  wonder  chilling  the  confi 
dence  of  her  tones.  "  Here  is  your  archer, 
come  to  you  from  his  battles.  Give  him  a 
wife's  smile,  O  beloved !  " 

She  smiled  and  patted  her  encouragingly. 
But  still  there  was  no  response,  and  the 
mother  looked  her  sudden  fear  as  she  said: 

"  Call  her,  son  of  our  hearts ;  her  sweet 
spirit  is  wandering  away  from  us.  Call  her !  " 

Joseph  took  the  slender  figure  in  his  arms 
and  her  head  rested  on  his  bosom. 

"  Hear  me,  O  my  love,"  he  whispered. 
"  You  are  sweeter  to  me  than  the  kiss  of 
spring.  Answer  me,  Louimma ;  answer  me." 

She  stirred  faintly  in  his  embrace,  but  did 
not  respond  to  it,  and  he  kissed  her  eyelids 
down  over  her  passionless  eyes  with  a  fierce 
pain  at  his  heart.  But  as  his  lips  fell  on  her 
mouth  it  moved  under  them. 

"  Twelve  stars  with  faces  such  as  men  wear 


CT*HE   KISS 

-L        OF    GLORT 


are  in  the  sky,"  she  said  in  the  low,  emotion 
less  tone  of  one  who  dreams,  "  and  one  is  he 
who  tamed  the  desert  steed,  and  all  the  others 
bear  strange  looks  and  bow  before  him."  She 
fell  into  silence  for  a  brief  period,  and  then 
continued :  "  I  see  a  golden  harvest  field,  and 
one  tall  sheaf  has  royal  robes  and  stands  to 
take  the  homage  of  the  lesser  ones " 

Her  voice  failed;  the  last  words  slipping 
slowly  through  the  sweet  portal  of  her  speech. 
But  Joseph  cried : 

"  These  are  my  dreams,  Louimma !  My 
half-forgotten  visions  of  the  field.  Wake,  O 
my  sister  soul,  and  tell  me  more."  But  he 
stopped  and  laid  her  back  in  her  place,  for  a 
sudden  beat  of  hoofs  sounded,  and  then  halted 
at  the  tent  door;  and  after  a  moment  Aman, 
pale  and  grave,  entered  with  an  Egyptian 
soldier. 

"  I  bring  you  a  command  from  Pharaoh,  O 

archer  of  Arabia,"  said  the  officer  advancing. 

'  The  son  of  the  Sun  has  had  strange  visions, 

and  has  searched  the  double  kingdoms  for  a 

reader  of  his  dreams.      But  late  his  butler, 


rHE   KISS 
OF  GLORT 


who  saw  service  with  you  before  the  walls  of 
Edom,  has  remembered  that  you  told  him 
truly  all  the  meaning  of  his  night  thoughts, 
and  the  king  has  sent  me  with  his  fleetest  steed 
to  bring  you  to  his  presence.  Make  haste 
and  mount.  There  must  be  no  delay." 

He  saluted  and  withdrew  from  the  tent,  and 
Joseph  heard  Aman  give  commands  for  his 
refreshment  and  another  horse.  Then  the 
Arab  came  back,  and  the  two  looked  at  each 
other  steadily  as  they  heard  Louimma  smile 
and  whisper  to  herself  among  her  pillows. 
Her  mother's  bewildered  eyes  went  from  one 
to  the  other  pitifully.  But  Aman's  brow  was 
white  and  drawn  with  pain  as  he  put  his  arm 
gently  around  her  and  said,  looking  at  Joseph  : 

"  It  is  ever  thus  the  serpent's  work  is 
done.  By  means  of  your  brave  lips,  and,  may 
be,  too,  the  balm  of  violets,  her  life  is  spared. 
But  that  strange  spirit  thing  we  cannot  clasp 
or  see  has  now  a  wider  field,  and  comes  and 
goes  at  will,  between  the  worlds.  Give  up 
your  hope  to  take  her  for  your  wife.  For  her 
there  is  no  further  thought  of  love." 

T6 


He  stopped  and  bowed  his  head  on  Joseph, 
and  the  two  men  wept.  Then  he  raised  his 
eyes  and  looked  upon  the  Hebrew  solemnly. 

"  We  bruise  our  hands  when  we  strike  back 
at  fate,"  he  said.  "  But  come,  before  the  door 
is  now  the  mohar  of  the  king.  Receive  my 
blessing  and  farewell." 

Joseph  knelt,  and  the  hands  of  the  Arab 
rested  on  his  head.  Then  the  father  turned 
and  bent  above  the  smiling  dreamer  on  the 
couch,  and  his  tears  glistened  on  her  hair. 
For  a  moment  Joseph  wavered;  then  he 
sprang  to  her  side  and  kissed  her  little  palms 
and  crushed  them  to  his  breast.  But  they 
lay  cool  and  still  within  his  clasp,  and  so  he 
laid  them  gently  in  her  mother's  waiting 
hands  and,  blinded  by  his  tears,  rushed  from 
the  door. 


CHAPTER  XIX 

Schemes  of  Kings — and  Mothers 

ADAPHA  broke  the  wings  of  the 
south  wind,"  said  Taia,  the  queen, 
to  her  little  son,  who  was  nestled 
on  a  heap  of  cushions  beside  her,  eager  for  a 
story. 

"  How  did  he  break  them  ?  "  questioned  the 
small  Egyptian. 

"  I  know  not,"  replied  the  mother. 

"  Was  it  with  a  battle-ax?  " 

"  Oh,  no." 

"  Mayhap  it  was  a  spear  ?  Jovo,  the  guard, 
has  strength  to  take  a  mighty  lance  and  whirl 
it  above  his  head.  I  saw  him  but  this  morning 
from  my  window.  Think  you  Adapha  broke 
the  wind's  wings  with  a  spear?  " 

"  I  know  not,  prattler.  But  will  you  hear 
the  story?" 

"  Yes ;  and  tell  me  how  looked  the  wings. 
Were  they  like  the  eagle's,  strong  and  feather- 


THE  Km 

J.        OF   GLORT 


tipped?  Or  were  they  like  the  gauzy  sails 
that  bear  aloft  the  dragon-fly?  Those  could 
I  crush  within  my  hollow  hand.  But  tell  me 
more." 

"  When  he  had  broken  the  shining  pinions 
he  was  summoned  to  appear  before  Anu." 

"Who  is  Anu,  mother?" 

"  The  lord  of  the  sky." 

"  Is  not  my  father,  Pharaoh,  lord  of 
heaven?  " 

"  No.  Of  the  earth  alone,"  answered  the 
king's  wife.  "  But  when  Adapha  had  made 
his  journey  through  the  stars,  and  stood  weary 
and  faint  before  the  prince  of  heaven,  he  re 
fused  to  eat  the  water  and  the  bread  of  death." 

"  So  would  I  do,"  cried  the  child.  "  Go 
on." 

"  And  when  Anu  saw  his  sorrow  he  felt 
great  pity  for  him  and  brought  him  other 
food — water,  in  glasses  of  crystal,  and  won 
derful  clusters  of  purple  fruit." 

"  Better  than  we  have  in  our  house  of 
grapes?  "  asked  the  boy. 

"  Yes ;  better  than  we  have  ever  seen.     But 


E  KISS 
OF    GLORY 


Adapha  turned  away  and  would  not  touch  his 
offering.  Then  Anu  sadly  said  :  '  Why  will 
you  eat  not,  O  foolish  man?  This  which  I 
would  have  given  you  is  the  gift  of  life,  and 
now  it  cannot  be  yours.'  ' 

"Why  could  it  not?  Had  I  been  Anu  I 
would  have  healed  the  south  wind's  wings 
and  troubled  not  Adapha.  Come,  mother, 
tell  another  tale." 

"  Peace,  little  one.  Not  now,"  answered 
the  queen,  turning  an  expectant  look  toward 
the  door.  "  Your  father  comes.  Run  to 
your  play." 

Apepi  drew  aside  the  silken  arras  and 
stepped  within,  and  as  the  little  prince  ran 
toward  him  with  a  shout  of  joy,  he  stooped 
and  lifted  him,  holding  him  at  arm's  length, 
and  laughing  to  see  him  strive  and  struggle 
to  be  free. 

"  Hear  now,  O  rosy  one,"  he  said.  "  As  I 
came  through  the  court  I  saw  a  little  golden 
boat  drawn  by  two  snow-white  swans  upon 
the  lotus  lake.  I  wonder  in  whose  hands 
those  reins  will  fall  ?  " 

16 


246  T 


HE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


"  In  mine,  in  mine !  "  cried  the  boy,  in  great 
delight,  kicking  and  twisting  to  get  away. 
"  Let  me  go,  let  me  go !  " 

The  king  set  him  on  his  feet  and  he  started 
toward  the  door,  saying,  as  he  shrugged  his 
little  shoulders  where  the  firm  grasp  had  been : 

"  I  doubt  not  my  father  could  break  the 
wings  of  the  south  wind  with  his  hands." 

"What  means  the  boy?"  asked  Pharaoh. 
And  the  queen  answered  laughingly: 

"  He  felt  your  strength  but  now.  I  have 
been  telling  him  the  story  of  Adapha,  the  first 
man.  But  what  new  light  has  come  into  your 
eyes,  O  husband  of  my  soul  ?  Your  look  has 
lost  its  sorrow." 

"  I  came  to  tell  you  a  strange  thing,  my 
queen,"  he  answered,  crossing  between  the 
porphyry  columns  of  the  great  chamber  and 
sitting  on  the  cushions  where  the  child  had 
been.  "  You  know  I  have  been  troubled  by 
my  dreams,  and  all  the  readers  of  the  stars 
and  tellers  of  the  secret  things  of  life  have 
been  as  dumb  as  stones  concerning  them, 
they  seemed  to  me  to  hold  a  meaning  of  im- 


241 


portance  to  our  land,  for  in  them  I  was  stand 
ing  by  the  Nile  watching  the  cattle  grazing 
in  the  meadow.  They  were  seven,  and  as  I 
beheld  the  gentle  creatures,  and  noted  how 
plump  they  were  within  their  glossy  coats, 
seven  lean  and  ill-favored  ones  came  up  and 
devoured  them.  I  saw  it  all,  but  could  not 
lift  a  hand  in  their  defence,  and  awoke  sorrow 
ful.  But  scarcely  had  I  gone  to  sleep  again 
when  I  dreamed  of  standing  in  a  harvest  field 
and  seeing  seven  full  and  perfect  ears  upon 
one  stalk ;  but  while  I  looked,  well  pleased  at 
such  a  yield,  lo,  seven  thin  and  blasted  ears 
sprang  in  their  place  and  vanquished  them." 

"  Strange  visions,  in  good  truth,"  said  the 
queen  thoughtfully.  "  I  wonder  not  you  felt 
forebodings.  But  your  look  tells  me  all  have 
been  made  plain." 

"  Your  eyes  are  keen  with  love,  O  heart's 
delight,"  he  said,  taking  her  hand  in  his  and 
holding  it ;  "  and  I  doubt  not  the  tale  will  have 
great  interest  for  you ;  for  that  same  lad  whose 
arrow  found  the  lion's  eye  the  day  we  reared 
the  seventh  obelisk,  and  who  companioned 


248 


CT'HE   KISS 

-I       OF   GLORT 


Mentu  in  his  battle-car,  and  later  served  us  to 
good  purpose  in  the  expeditions  to  the  land 
of  Punt,  stood  but  an  hour  since  before  my 
throne  and  made  the  meaning  of  my  dreams 
as  clear  as  your  soft  speech." 

"  That  boy?  "  the  queen  exclaimed  in  great 
surprise.  "  He  seemed  like  some  young  flower 
of  the  sun  standing  beside  Mentu  in  his 
chariot.  I  well  remember  that  he  proved 
himself  a  bowman ;  but  seers,  I  think,  should 
be  more  venerable.  I  should  but  laugh  to  see 
a  prophecy  on  such  a  mouth  as  his." 

"  The  matter  came  about  like  this,"  replied 
the  king.  "  Some  servants  of  our  house  went 
with  the  troops  to  Seir,  and  while  they  were 
in  prison  there  dreamed  vexing  dreams,  which 
were  by  him  interpreted.  His  powers  reached 
my  ears,  and  I  dispatched  a  mohar  to  his 
father's  camp  Beyond  the  Jordan.  Could  you 
have  seen  him  stand  before  me  in  his  youth, 
with  honor  on  his  brow,  and  in  his  eyes  the 
light  from  heaven !  " 

"  What  said  he  of  the  dreams  ?  "  questioned 
Taia.  And  Pharaoh  answered: 


HE  KISS 
OF   GLORr 


"  The  seven  fat  cattle  and  the  seven  fair 
ears  were  seven  bountiful  harvests;  and  the 
seven  lean  kine  and  starving  ears  were  seven 
years  of  famine.  More  than  that.  The  one 
who  gave  the  warning  had  a  plan  to  turn  it 
to  account.  In  all  respect,  he  urged  me  to 
prepare  throughout  this  time  of  plenty  and 
gather  up  the  grain  from  far  and  near,  so 
when  the  evil  days  are  come  there  will  be  no 
hunger  in  the  land,  and  the  granaries  of  Egypt 
may  feed  the  world." 

Taia  sprang  to  her  feet,  exclaiming : 

"  Wise  is  your  counsellor,  O  king.  But 
what  great  minister  have  you  to  execute  his 
wisdom?  " 

"  Who  but  himself,  O  mother  of  princes," 
answered  Pharaoh  with  enthusiasm.  "  When 
I  had  heard  his  words  and  reasoned  well  con 
cerning  them,  I  threw  my  chain  around  his 
neck  and  put  my  ring  upon  his  finger  and 
called  to  those  who  waited: 

"  '  Princes  and  lords  of  Egypt,  behold  my 
prime  minister ! ' 

The  queen  clapped  her  hands.     "  And  will 


CT'HE  KISS 

I        OF   GLORY 


he  have  authority  ?  "  she  asked.  And  he  re 
plied  with  earnestness : 

"  Second  only  to  my  own.  I  would  that 
you  had  seen  the  manner  of  the  youth  when 
on  him,  like  a  thunderbolt,  fell  greatness.  His 
eyes  looked  level-lidded  into  mine,  and  he 
seemed  more  intent  on  what  his  hand  must  do 
than  on  the  sceptre  I  had  placed  within  it." 

"  He  has  a  noble  look,"  said  Taia,  half  to 
herself ;  "  but  if  I  mistake  not,  it  is  the  product 
of  a  noble  heart  and  not  of  heritage." 

"  He  is  the  son  of  Aman,  the  Arabian,"  re 
sponded  Pharaoh,  "  the  owner  of  the  caravan 
trade  between  us  and  Damascus,  and  a  chief 
of  countless  spears.  He  is  a  man  of  might 
and  honor;  but  this  young  man  has  not  the 
desert  look.  I  grant  his  fair  face  puzzled  me 
but  now.  I  must  ask  Mentu  something  of  the 
fibre  of  his  thought  when  he  returns  from 
singing  beneath  the  moon  flowers  on  the 
rocks  of  Sela." 

At  mention  of  the  crown  prince  the 
mother's  brow  became  shadowed  with  anxi 
ety. 


rHE   KISS 
OF  GLORT 


"  Poor  lad !  "  she  sighed.  "  I  would  he 
might  bring  home  the  lady  of  his  love.  His 
heart  weeps  for  her.  And  yet  I  fear  they  must 
remain  apart,  for  what  young  noble  have  we 
in  our  court  to  rank  beside  our  son  ?  " 

Apepi  had  been  engrossed  with  the 
thoughts  of  the  new  duties  forced  upon  him, 
but  the  last  words  caught  his  ears. 

"  Said  I  not,"  he  asked,  "  that  this  new  lord 
is  second  but  to  me?  " 

"  The  Arabian  ?  "  Taia  said  the  words  in 
a  singing  whisper,  and  then  began  laughing 
softly  to  herself  as  one  who  has  solved  a  quan 
dary. 

The  king  arose  and  went  to  the  window, 
staring  thoughtfully  over  the  vast  expanse  of 
flowering  land  within  his  view. 

"  We  must  build  granaries,"  he  mused. 
"  Towers  as  strong  as  treasure-houses  to  hold 
the  wheat;  and  this  very  deed  shall  sing  my 
name  louder  than  the  tongues  of  obelisks  and 
of  temples  praise  it." 

lie  smiled  as  he  thought,  but  his  wife  was 


252  T 


HE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


standing  at  his  shoulder,  and  her  mind  was 
not  on  the  harvest  of  fields,  but  of  hearts. 

"  Listen,  O  love,  and  answer  me,"  she  said. 
"  Your  minister  is  young,  and  the  sun  is  not 
more  beautiful  when  he  smiles  down  on  the 
altars  you  have  raised  to  glorify  him.  But 
somewhere  in  his  heart  a  man's  love  slum 
bers — "  She  smiled,  hesitated,  and  then 
grasped  his  arm  in  her  tense  fingers.  "  Re 
call  the  Priest  of  On  from  banishment,  O 
Pharaoh,  "  and  bid  him  bring  his  daughter  to 
the  palace.  He  will  believe  that  you  have 
yielded  to  his  will ;  but  let  your  favorite's  eyes 
meet  Asenath's,  and  then  a  woman's  wit  will 
speed  the  matter  as  we  wish  it.  Mentu  will 
take  the  lady  Rhoda  for  his  wife  and  seal  the 
peace  with  Edom ;  and  this  fair  saviour  of  the 
land  will  conquer  the  proud  spirit  of  the  High 
Priest's  daughter." 

She  spoke  eagerly,  but  Pharaoh  said : 
"  Peace,  little  marriage-maker.  The  dream- 
reader  already  wears  some  sorrow  on  his  brow 
of  woman's  causing.     But  still  there  may  be 
magic  in  a  glance,  and  I  will  see  what  comes 


<HE  KISS 
OF   GLORT 


of  all  your  planning.  Three  days  from  now 
we  will  appoint  a  feast  and  gather  all  the 
people  to  welcome  their  new  governor.  Let 
him  be  told  no  word  of  all  this  matter.  Should 
it  come  to  pass  even  as  your  little  head  has 
plotted,  I  shall  be  content.  But  now  to  see 
my  carpenters  and  artisans.  The  builders  of 
the  pyramids  had  not  so  great  a  task  as  mine." 
He  kissed  her,  bending  from  his  tall  height 
and  holding  her  a  tender  moment;  but  when 
he  made  haste  to  go  he  found  himself  bound 
fast  by  the  long  braids  of  her  black  hair,  which 
she  had  tied  around  his  neck.  And  then,  after 
some  delay  and  much  laughter,  he  went  away, 
while  Taia,  still  smiling  over  her  scheme  for 
the  happiness  of  her  son,  fell  into  soft  singing. 


CHAPTER  XX 

The  Heart  of  a   Woman 

FROM  an  upper  chamber  in  her  father's 
house,  at  Heliopolis,  Asenath  and  her 
seven  maidens  watched  the  prepara 
tions  going  on  in  the  street  below. 

"  I  see  no  cause  for  all  this  garland  string 
ing,"  she  said,  with  the  manner  of  one  who 
hoped  for  contradiction,  as  the  workmen 
wreathed  the  arches  with  grapes  and  cluster 
ing  vines  and  heaped  pyramids  of  the  golden 
yield  of  the  full  harvest  along  the  way  on 
either  side.  "  What  is  this  stranger  to  us  that 
we  must  needs  pave  our  streets  with  flowers 
for  his  chariot  to  crush  ?  " 

"  He  is  the  favorite  of  the  king,  O  lady  of 
the  sun,"  replied  Orpah,  in  some  surprise  that 
her  mistress  had  remained  ignorant  of  the 
identity  of  the  expected  visitor — a  man  who 
had  roused  all  Egypt  to  enthusiasm.  "  And 
it  is  said  that  Pharaoh,  not  content  with  giving 


rHE  KISS 
OF   GLORY 


him  authority,  seeks  daily  for  some  new  and 
crowning  honor  to  put  upon  him.  He  is  a 
comely  man ;  but  I  knew  not  that  kings  were 
moved  by  comeliness,  except  in  women." 

She  sighed  and  shook  her  head,  as  women 
will  when  motives  are  beyond  their  reading. 
But  Asenath  laughed. 

"  Fret  not  your  dear,  gray  head  in  finding 
reasons,  Orpah.  This  man  has  a  way  of 
speaking  by  his  deeds,  and  they  are  great 
enough  to  merit  Pharaoh's  favor.  Each  one 
of  all  the  twice  a  thousand  cities  in  the  land 
has  sprouted  storehouses,  and  all  the  grain 
the  seasons  lay  upon  the  fields  is  taken  in  fine 
bags — as  though  each  kernel  were  a  treasure 
— and  locked  within  the  granaries." 

"  Meanwhile  the  tax  is  hard,  and  people 
make  complaint,"  observed  Orpah,  in  whose 
old  ears  that  young  voice  had  a  new  and  vi 
brant  sound.  "  But  so  do  locusts  murmur. 
Neither  can  cry  as  far  as  Pharaoh's  ears ;  but 
surely  this  young  man  might  have  more  pity." 

She  glanced  keenly  at  the  girl  as  she  made 
her  faint  complaining ;  but  the  sea-green  eyes 


256  T 


I  HE  KISS 
OF   GLORT 


were  hidden  by  the  black  lashes  which  swept 
the  softly-tinted  cheek.  It  was  a  moment  be 
fore  the  daughter  of  the  High  Priest  an 
swered,  and  then  it  was  but  to  say  coldly : 

"  If  famine  prowls  upon  the  heels  of  these 
full  harvests,  I  doubt  not  we  shall  all  have 
praises  for  the  man  who  holds  within  his  hand 
the  life  of  Egypt. 

"  But  come,  I  grant  I  feel  from  your  re 
ports  some  little  interest  in  him.  What  know 
you  of  his  ways,  his  looks,  his  speech?  There 
must  be  something  mighty  in  a  soul  that  sways 
a  king  at  pleasure." 

"  They  say  he  was  a  comrade  of  the  prince," 
said  Tasu,  the  youngest  of  the  attendants,  not 
observing  the  warning  glances  of  the  others ; 
"  and  it  was  he  who  saved  the  child  of  Captain 
Potiphar  and  won  the  admiration  of  his  high 
ness  for  his  deeds.  Saw  you  not?  'Twas  he 
who  rode  behind  him  in  his  chariot  that  day 
the  army  marched  toward  Sela." 

"  I  saw  him  not,"  replied  the  maiden 
shortly.  "  In  truth  I  did  not  see  the  king's 
son  on  that  day." 


HE   KISS 
OF  GLORT 


"  Oh  I  "  protested  the  girl.  "  Know  you 
not  how  far  we  leaned  above  the  casement 
when  you  flung  the  rose  ?  " 

"  I  —  I  flung  no  rose."  A  wave  of  crimson 
swept  over  the  fairest  face  in  Egypt  and  the 
proud  lip  curled  haughtily.  "  Perchance  one 
fell  by  mishap  from  my  shoulder-wreath  and 
struck  a  passing  chariot."  She  turned  away, 
and  then  resumed  smiling.  "  But  the  gover 
nor  is  comely.  A  lord  of  light  with  eyes  like 
the  great  sea  at  morning." 

She  lifted  her  guitar  from  the  pillows  in  the 
window  seat  and  plucked  the  seven  strings, 
one  by  one  lingeringly,  and  the  other  girls 
went  about  their  tasks  —  some  to  their  weav 
ing  and  embroidery,  some  to  the  temple  with 
fresh  flowers  for  the  altars.  But  Orpah  and 
the  little  Tasu  stayed,  and  the  younger  ques 
tioned  with  girlish  curiosity: 

"  Then  you  have  seen  the  handsome 
stranger,  O  Asenath  ?  " 

"  Twice,"  answered  the  Egyptian,  disposed 
to  be  more  frank  in  the  absence  of  her  other 


258 


women.  "  On  the  day  he  went  forth  in  the 
prince's  battle-car " 

"  But  now  you  said  you  saw  him  not,"  in 
terrupted  the  child,  bewildered. 

"  I  saw  not  the  son  of  Pharaoh,"  she  said, 
blushing  under  the  look  in  her  questioner's 
eyes ;  "  for  who  may  see  a  star  that  burns 
within  the  glory  of  the  sun  ?  "  She  stopped 
abruptly,  and  turned  again  to  her  music ;  but 
Orpah,  although  known  as  "  the  wise,"  could 
not  let  the  matter  rest. 

"  When  saw  you  the  young  adon  after 
that  ?  "  she  asked.  And  the  maiden  answered., 
with  the  far  treble  of  pipes  coming  in  from 
the  street  to  accompany  her: 

"  A  year  ago,  when  Pharaoh  made  the  feast 
of  welcome  for  him  and  I  was  robed  for  the 
first  time  in  that  soft  dress  that  your  swift 
hands  had  made  so  radiant  with  lotus  buds 
of  pearls  in  vines  of  gold.  The  garment,  being 
silver-gauze,  well  pleased  the  queen,  and 
never  had  she  been  so  kind  before.  She  took 
a  jewel  from  her  hair  to  put  in  mine,  but 
plucked  it  out  again,  saying  I  needed  naught 


rHE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


that  she  could  add  to  make  me  beautiful. 
She  placed  me  on  the  cushions  by  her  side, 
and  now  and  then  turned  smiling  glances 
on  me.  When  we  and  all  the  guests  were 
seated  at  the  board  the  king  came  in  with  this 
strong-shouldered  stranger,  and  his  face  was 
as  a  lily  beside  the  darker  countenances  of 
Mizraim.  No  other  man  has  such  a  glance 
as  his  ;  and  yet  when  the  queen  beckoned,  and 
he  came  and  bowed  to  her  and  me,  he  took  no 
more  account  of  me  than  I  had  been  a  rose 
and  not  a  woman.  Scarce  had  he  bent  his 
head  —  that  had  a  look  more  royal  than  the 
king's  —  than  he  had  gone  back  to  his  chair, 
close  drawn  by  that  of  Pharaoh,  and  the  queen 
grew  cold  toward  me." 

"  I  heard  a  rumor  brought  from  the  far 
east  that  one  he  loved  had  died.  But  I  know 
not  if  she  were  wife  or  sister,"  said  Orpah. 
But  little  Tasu,  proud  of  her  bit  of  news,  made 
haste  to  speak  it  : 

"  She  was  his  sister,  O  lady  of  the  sun.  I 
had  the  tale  from  one  who  knows  him  well. 


CT*HE  KISS 

±       OF   GLORr 


She  was,  like  him,  a  child  of  that  tall  chief  who 
yearly  brings  his  caravan  to  Egypt." 

Asenath  suddenly  put  her  arms  around  the 
speaker's  dimpled  shoulders,  holding  her  sur 
prised  a  moment  ere  she  lifted  the  little  chin 
on  the  point  of  her  rosy  finger,  and  said  : 

"  Sweet  arc  your  words,  O  little  singer. 
You  are  my  mocking-bird,  and  bring  me  all 
the  pleasant  notes  you  learn  afar.  See,  here 
is  that  scarf  of  silk  you  thought  so  well  of. 
Take  it  ;  it  is  yours.  And  this  long  string  of 
pearls,  warm  from  my  throat.  And  here  are 
ruby  drops,  the  color  of  your  lips,  to  whisper 
to  your  little  ears  how  well  Asenath  loves 
you." 

Impetuously  she  unclasped  the  jewels  from 
herself  and  fastened  them  upon  the  delighted 
Tasu.  Then  kissed  her  and  pushed  her  play 
fully  away. 

"  Run  to  your  mates  that  preen  and  show 
their  beauty  to  the  light,"  she  said;  and  the 
girl  danced  to  the  window  and  down  a  flight 
of  steps  to  the  court  of  peacocks.  There  she 
harnessed  the  majestic  birds  with  white  rib- 


E    KISS 
OF    GLORT 


bons  and  drove  them  up  and  down  the  paths 
with  much  scolding  and  laughter.  Asenath 
and  the  older  woman  —  who  was  her  nurse  and 
foster-mother  —  watched  the  scene  smilingly 
for  a  while,  and  then  Orpah  said,  going  to  the 
outer  window: 

"  The  governor  will  ride  this  way  at  noon 
and  the  hour  approaches.  The  queen  desires 
you  to  entertain  him  as  one  who  has  the  right 
of  royal  favor."  She  paused  and  added: 

"  If  I  mistake  not,  she  has  some  plans  to 
speed  the  wedding  of  her  son  to  Esau's 
daughter." 

"  I  would  that  he  might  bring  her  home 
to-day,"  replied  the  girl  in  a  low  voice,  but 
with  no  sign  that  she  had  caught  the  other's 
meaning.  "  Good  Orpah,  I  have  never  loved 
the  prince,  and  would  not  take  him  for  a 
husband  were  he  thrice  the  son  of  Pharaoh." 

The  elder  woman  patted  her  hand  gently. 

"  What  think  you  of  this  youth  the  king 
has  raised  to  such  authority  ?  "  she  asked  ;  and 
then  seeing  the  quick  blush  on  Asenath's 
cheek,  said  soothingly  :  "  Nay,  I  do  wrong  to 


262 


OF   GLORT 


question  you.  You  scarce  have  seen  his  face, 
and  Love  must  take  his  time  for  his  un 
veiling." 

The  girl  made  no  answer;  but  under  her 
scarf  her  bosom  rose  and  fell;  and  the  other, 
from  the  shadow  of  transparent  silk  that  she 
wore  in  the  fashion  of  elderly  women,  fastened 
with  a  silver  band  at  her  brow  and  hanging  to 
her  feet,  saw  and  smiled  tenderly.  But  she 
said  with  assumed  indifference: 

"  No  doubt  the  king  would  like  to  make  a 
marriage  between  you  and  the  adon — as 
though  a  daughter  of  Pentephres  would  wed 
an  Arab!  And  yet  I  must  confess  he  is  a 
comely  man  and  gallant  as  a  soldier;  and 
though  he  may  not  look  so  high'  as  Asenath, 
he  yet,  mayhap,  will  find  a  maiden  to  his 
liking  here  in  Egypt." 

She  turned,  as  if  to  change  the  subject;  but 
her  mistress  said: 

"  The  adon  likes  not  women.  I  heard  that 
even  Pharaoh  had  offered  him  a  wife  and  that 
he  had  refused  her." 

"  Then   he  had   seen   her   not !  "      Orpah 


HE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


sprang  to  her  feet  and  threw  back  her  veil 
with  a  gesture  of  sudden  anger.  But  seeing 
the  girl's  surprised  and  questioning  looks, 
struggled  to  regain  composure  —  an  effort  in 
which  she  had  but  indifferent  success  —  as  she 
continued  f  alteringly  : 

"  I  meant  to  say  no  man  could  look  on 
Mizraim's  fair  daughters  and  keep  his  heart 
untroubled." 

Asenath  went  close  and  looked  into  her 
face. 

"  Some  other  meaning  was  hidden  in  your 
words,  O  mother,"  she  whispered.  "  And 
now  is  my  soul  faint  with  shame.  Deny  it 
not,  for  I,  Asenath,  was  the  woman  proffered 
and  disdained.  O  take  your  arms  away!  I 
cannot  bear  the  loving  pity  of  their  touch  in 
such  a  time  as  this." 

She  covered  her  face,  and  her  slight  form 
trembled  for  a  moment's  space.  Then  she 
burst  forth  like  a  tempest: 

"  If  this  be  true,  O  Orpah,  I  will  go  up  to 
Pharaoh's  throne  and  rage  against  him  for 
this  insolence.  Am  I  slave  that  I  may  be  of- 


264.  T 


HE   KISS 
OF    GLORT 


fered  as  a  prize  to  any  stranger,  and  be  by 
him  at  pleasure  taken  or  scorned?  Be  not 
deceived,  I'll  meet  the  king;  and  more,  I  will 
see  this  Arab,  and  if  there  is  a  woman's  wit 
and  cunning  in  my  bosom  I'll  make  him  love 
me.  Then,  when  he  has  come  with  greater 
eloquence  than  he  had  for  Pharaoh  for  favor 
in  my  sight,  I  will  scorn  him  and  drive  him 
forth  with  laughter.  You  will  laugh,  Orpah, 
will  you  not?  And  little  Tasu,  and  all,  when 
he  goes  away  sorrowful?  And  I  shall  laugh 

and  be  merry,  even  if  I "     She  stopped, 

weeping,  and  running  across  the  room  flung 
herself  face  downward  on  a  couch  of  pillows; 
and  Orpah  caught  from  there  the  muffled  end 
of  all  her  threatenings — "  even  if  I  die !  " 

Orpah,  the  wise,  said  no  word.  But  she  went 
over  and  loosed  the  net  of  pearls  from  the 
young  girl's  splendid  hair  and  set  it  drifting 
in  midnight  softness  as  far  as  the  little  pink 
heels  revealed  above  the  jewelled  crossings 
of  the  sandals.  With  every  restless  move 
ment  of  the  tiny  feet  the  ankle  bells  sent  out 
a  tuneful  murmuring.  But  the  old  nurse 


CT'HE    KISS 

JL        OF   GLORY 


brushed  in  silence  until  the  loosened  locks 
shone  in  splendor,  then  she  went  and  fetched 
a  jewel  case,  and  selecting  a  circlet  from  which 
alternate  strands  of  pearls  and  diamonds  de 
pended,  set  it  on  the  girl's  head  and  threaded 
the  dazzling  strings  of  precious  stones  among 
the  strands  of  hair. 

"  Come,  heart  of  my  life,  smile  on  your  old 
Orpah  !  '"'  she  coaxed  when  the  adornment 
was  complete.  And  with  her  sobs  dying 
away  the  girl  arose  and  submitted  to  the 
process  of  tiring.  Orpah  unclasped  her  lady's 
tunic  at  the  shoulders  and  it  fell  shimmering 
around  her  feet,  leaving  her  clad  only  in  a 
diaphanous  under-robe  that  half  revealed  and 
half  concealed  the  lithe  young  beauty  of  her 
form.  Then  smiling  through  her  tears  with 
the  unconscious  joy  a  woman  feels  in  being 
newly  dressed,  Asenath  stood  among  the  bil 
lows  while  her  woman  brought  another  robe 
from  an  adjoining  chamber  and  clasped  it  at 
the  white  shoulders  and  under  the  girlish 
breasts  with  ropes  of  pearls. 

She  had  scarcely  finished  her  task  when 


266 


OF   GLORT 


there  was  a  sound  of  wheels  on  the  rush- 
strewn  street  and  the  sudden  blare  of  trum 
pets  proclaiming  the  arrival  of  the  young 
governor. 

"  Come,  beloved,  let  us  see  him  when  he 
rides  toward  your  gates,"  said  Orpah.  But 
Asenath  answered: 

"  Do  you  go,  O  mother.  I  care  not  to  see 
him  come." 

But  by  the  time  the  nurse  had  reached  the 
window,  close  beside  her  in  the  very  shelter 
of  her  drapery  pressed  the  girl.  And  the  old 
woman  felt  a  young  heart  beating  against  her 
arm  as  a  bird  beats  against  its  bars. 

There  was  a  holiday  throng  in  the  street — 
people  in  gay  costumes  and  humor  moving 
back  and  forth  with  waving  branches  in  their 
hands  and  cheers  waiting  but  the  time  to  issue 
from  their  throats.  Then  forth  from  the 
Avenue  of  Sphinxes,  which  was  one  of  the 
noted  achievements  of  Apepi,  issued  the 
chariots;  and  in  the  foremost,  like  a  strong 
young  god,  splendid  in  his  majesty,  rode  the 
dreamer  of  Israel  and  archer  of  the  desert, 


HE    KISS 
OF  GLORY 


now  known  as  Zaphnath,  the  governor.  At 
sight  of  him  the  cheers  found  vent,  and  little 
children  ran  to  scatter  flowers  in  the  path  of 
his  horses. 

He  had  been  willing  to  be  a  slave  that  he 
might  learn  the  art  of  mastery.  And  he  had 
learned  it  well.  From  the  hour  that  he  had 
gained  authority  from  Pharaoh  he  had  been 
intent  upon  his  plans  for  saving  Egypt,  and 
now  that  the  storehouses  were  ready  and  the 
land  was  in  its  second  year  of  bountiful  har 
vests,  he  was  going  personally  through  all  the 
farming  country,  not  only  buying  up  grain 
and  contracting  for  that  unplanted,  but  ex 
acting  one-fifth  of  what  was  harvested  for 
storage  in  the  royal  granaries.  The  work 
had  not  been  done  without  a  protest  from  the 
people,  to  whom  the  tax  seemed  a  burden 
unjust  and  tyrannical.  But  when  they  learned 
the  story  of  the  great  king's  dream  and  its 
interpretation  by  the  officer  who  had  been 
commissioned  to  guard  the  land  from  famine, 
they  submitted  to  the  tax  and  co-operated 
with  him  by  transporting  the  required  por- 


CT'HE    KISS 
±       OF 


tion  oi  their  grain  from  the  threshing-floors 
to  the  nearest  cities  for  storage.  And  so  it 
was  the  young  man  who  had  been  made  by 
so  strange  a  fate  second  only  to  Pharaoh  in 
Egypt  now  rode  between  walls  of  acclaim  as 
he  entered  the  city  of  the  sun  and  made  his 
way  toward  the  house  of  the  High  Priest, 
where  he  had  been  given  to  expect  he  would 
have  entertainment.  He  had  not  been  wholly 
ignorant  of  the  king's  plans  concerning  him  ; 
but  he  had  received  a  hint  of  them  with  so 
little  favor  that  Apepi  was  both  angry  and 
astonished. 

"  I  will  take  no  wife,"  he  said,  with  the 
same  lack  of  tact  that  had  characterized  his 
boyhood.  But  the  tears  rilled  his  eyes  as  he 
thought  of  Louimma  smiling  among  her  lilies 
in  the  tents  of  Kedar.  It  was  a  boy's  love 
that  he  had  given  her;  but  as  yet  he  did  not 
know  how  much  it  differed  from  a  man's  deep 
passion.  And  the  king,  seeing  some  emotion 
filled  his  soul,  said  nothing  more  to  him  con 
cerning  women.  But  now,  as  he  stood 
straight  and  tall  in  his  golden  car,  his  chari 
oteer  whispered: 


HE   KISS 
OF   GLORY 


"  Here  on  the  right  is  the  house  of  Pente- 
phres,  O  adon.  And  here  lives  the  fairest 
maid  of  Egypt." 

"  Peace  !  "  replied  the  governor,  with  some 
lack  of  patience.  "  Lovely  or  not,  I  like  not 
the  Egyptian  women." 

And  as  he  spoke  his  glance  and  his  words 
were  borne  up  to  the  eyes  and  the  ears  of 
Asenath. 

Startled  and  all  amazed  at  her  great  beauty, 
he  halted;  and  her  eyes  drank  his  as  the  sun 
drinks  up  blue  pools.  Then  he  sprang  from 
the  car  and  strode  to  the  door.  But  once  he 
had  passed  the  double  lines  of  bowing  slaves 
within  the  corridor,  and  led  by  a  fountain's 
splashing,  had  found  the  inner  court,  Orpah 
met  him  with  many  expressions  of  welcome, 
which  could  not  wholly  conceal  her  real  con 
fusion  and  distress. 

"  Peace,  and  your  heart's  desire  to  you,  O 
Zaphnath  Paaneah,  keeper  of  Mizraim  !  "  she 
said.  "  Enter  and  take  the  bread  and  the 
blessings  of  this  house." 

"  I   would  see  the  Lady  Asenath,   good 


cr*HE  KISS 

-L       OF   GLORT 


woman,"  replied  the  visitor,  acknowledging 
her  courtesy  with  a  gesture.  "  Was  it  not 
she  who  stood  but  now  within  the  window?  " 

He  spoke  with  eager  impatience.  But  the 
woman  hesitated,  tried  again  to  speak,  and 
then  looked  at  him  in  helpless  lack  of  words. 
A  moment  he  stood  bewildered,  then  ques 
tioned  : 

"  She  will  not  see  me?  "  And  waited,  sur 
prised  at  his  sharp  hurt. 

Orpah  moved  her  hands  nervously. 

"  You  have  spoken,"  she  answered.  "  Her 
little  heart  is  in  a  suit  of  pride  against  such 
arrows  as  you  shot  toward  her  window.  But 
stay,  I  pray  you,  and  break  her  father's  bread. 
He  is  away  on  priestly  business,  not  knowing 
of  your  coming." 

"  I  thank  you,"  he  responded.  "  But  first 
must  I  make  peace,  if  may  be,  with  your  lady." 

He  left  the  house,  gloomy  with  self- 
reproach,  and  mounted  his  chariot  sadly. 

"  Hail,  adon !  Hail,  Zaphnath  Paaneah !  " 
shouted  the  people,  waving  their  palm 
branches  in  front  of  him.  But  his  face  was 


rHE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


stern,  and  he  looked  as  though  he  had  not 
heard  them.  While  behind  her  curtain-folds 
of  many-colored  silk  Asenath  wept  to  see  him 
ride  away. 

That  night  he  walked  beside  the  Nile  alone. 
And  as  the  river  ran  and  thrilled  the  land  with 
life,  so  through  his  pulses  leaped  the  tide  of 
love.  It  had  come  to  him  as  a  tempest.  The 
ragings  of  the  storm  were  in  his  breast;  the 
sweet  fires  of  the  lightnings  filled  his  veins. 
Shock  after  shock  swept  over  him  and  left 
him  trembling.  He  saw  her  lovely,  languor 
ous  face  in  every  star,  and  covering  his  eyes 
he  sank  to  press  his  breast  against  the  warm 
brown  earth.  And  as  the  fertile  river  whis 
pered  on  its  way,  so  murmured,  yearningly, 
the  young  blood  of  the  man. 

But  in  the  High  Priest's  house  at  Heliopo- 
lis,  Asenath  sat  alone  in  her  chamber,  built 
over  the  temple  gate,  and  the  moon  shone  on 
a  face  as  cold  and  still  as  some  carved  marble 
image  on  her  altar,  save  when  the  scarlet 
mouth  trembled  in  wounded  pride. 

At  dawn  a  messenger  waited  at  the  portal 


HE   KISS 
OF    GLORT 


of  her  house,  and  Orpah  took  his  words  to 
her  young  mistress. 

"  The  governor  has  sent  his  morning  greet 
ings,  and  begs  for  his  heart's  peace  to  have 
some  speech  with  you,"  she  said.  "  Dear 
child,  with  some  soft  word  reply." 

But  Asenath  answered: 

"  Say  to  the  adon :  The  Egyptian  women 
like  not  strangers."  And  more  she  would 
not  say. 

When  it  was  broad  day  another  envoy 
knocked.  He  bore  a  basket  of  rarest  flowers; 
but  the  lady  sent  them  back  without  a  mes 
sage.  At  noon  another  came,  and  so 
throughout  the  day  without  reward. 

But  when  evening  came  Asenath  wandered 
in  the  gardens  with  her  maidens,  and  while 
they  stood  beside  the  sacred  lake,  within  the 
fragrant  circle  of  the  lotus  flowers,  and  gos 
siped  like  any  other  group  of  girls,  her  heart 
was  listening  through  the  dusk,  and  after  a 
time  it  heard  him  coming  from  afar. 

*'  Dear  Orpah,"  she  said,  "  remain,  I  pray, 
no  longer  in  the  dew,  lest  you  and  all  these 


rHE    KISS 
OF   GLORT 


tender  friends  may  take  some  sickness  of  the 
night.  Hear  me,  and  go." 

"  I  fear  no  evil,  O  sweet  lady  of  the  sun," 
called  Tasu  stoutly.  "  I  will  stay  here  with 
you." 

But  as  they  all  began  to  make  their  pro 
tests  against  going,  Orpah,  the  wise,  spread 
ing  her  mantle  wide,  cried: 

"  In,  chatterers,  in !  "  And  gathering  them 
in  front  of  her  she  drove  them  as  a  great  white 
hen  drives  a  flock  of  chicks,  chirping  and  twit 
tering  and  scurrying  along  the  paths  and  up  to 
the  house;  stopping  not  until  the  portals  of 
fine  brass  which  hung  upon  the  door-posts 
of  carved  ivory  had  yawned  and  closed  upon 
them. 

Asenath  leaned  against  the  fountain's  rim. 
She  knew  not  why  she  stayed ;  she  even  tried 
to  coax  her  anger  to  her  mind  that  she  might 
find  excuse  for  seeing  him — to  school  her 
quivering  lips  to  speak  her  scorn.  But  when 
she  heard  his  step  upon  the  path  her  heart 
beat  to  its  measure.  The  pebbles  laughed 
beneath  his  eager  feet  and  her  veins  trilled 
18 


E   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


with  unheard  laughter.  Close  by  her  side  a 
nightingale  sang;  her  sea-green  eyes  grew 
timid  in  the  light  and  hid  their  softness  under 
veiling  lashes. 

He  came  within  the  near,  dark  shadow  of 
the  palm  that  sheltered  her.  But  she  gave 
no  sign  that  she  had  seen  him.  Then  his 
conquering  hand  fell  on  her  shoulder. 

"  I  love  you !  "  he  whispered  hoarsely.  "  I 
love  you ! " 

She  drew  away,  but  she  was  trembling.  All 
nature  clashed  loud  cymbals  at  that  touch. 
Speech  fluttered  in  her  throat  a  prisoner,  and 
after  a  moment  she  turned,  and  with  a  little 
cry  ran  deeper  into  the  fragrant  wilderness. 
Her  foot  was  light,  but  he  followed  fast,  and 
far  in  the  dusk  of  the  incense  grove  he  caught 
her  and  kissed  her  and  held  her. 

"  I  love  you ! "  he  murmured  again  and 
again,  gathering  the  rose-smiles  as  they  grew 
upon  her  lips.  "  Lift  up  your  eyes,  O  my 
beloved,  and  give  your  scarlet  mouth  to  my 
kisses !  Let  me  drink  the  breath  with  which 
you  say  you  love  me." 


HE   KISS 
OF    GLORT 


Her  heart  beat  against  his  heart,  her  slen 
der  arms  wreathed  his  neck,  the  fragrant  mist 
of  her  hair  was  around  him.  The  earth  shook 
under  his  feet  and  the  stars  sang  ;  and  for  him 
there  was  no  thought  of  Pharaoh  or  his  king 
dom,  for  Egypt  was  within  his  arms. 

He  crushed  her  against  his  breast  with 
inarticulate  words  of  love,  and  she  answered 
with  broken  murmurs,  while  her  soft  lips  lin- 
geringly  caressed  his  cheeks.  But  when  her 
red  mouth  found  the  strong  white  column  of 
his  throat,  and  she  had  kissed  it  tremulously, 
she  raised  her  eyes  a  moment  to  his  own, 
then  bent  again,  and  where  she  last  had  kissed 
set  hard  her  little  teeth.  He  gave  a  cry  full 
of  the  joy  of  it  and  the  pain  of  it.  And  sweep 
ing  her  from  her  feet  bore  her  in  his  arms  back 
toward  the  garden,  her  tender  form  pressed 
to  his  side  and  her  long  garments  trailing 
about  his  mighty  limbs. 

The  way  was  short,  but  they  were  not  in 
haste.  Her  face  on  his  shoulder  was  lifted 
to  the  night  ;  hei  breath  stirred  his  hair  softly. 
And  as  he  strode  through  the  grove  in  the 


CT'HE    KISS 

J.        OF    GLORT 


purple  darkness  he  bent  to  cool  his  cheeks  en 
the  snow  of  her  bosom. 

As  they  returned  thus  to  the  garden  there 
was  a  loud  sound  as  of  a  company  at  the  gate 
and  a  sudden  flare  of  torches,  and  as  Asenath 
slipped  from  his  arms  and  stood  beside  him 
she  restrained  his  movement  to  go  toward 
the  intruders. 

"  It  is  my  father  with  his  attendants,"  she 
whispered.  "  I  know  not  what  he  will  say 
to  find  me  thus  companioned  with  a  stranger." 

"  A  stranger?  O  my  love,"  he  answered, 
drawing  her  close  to  him  in  the  shadows, 
"  have  you  no  better  name  for  me  than  that?  " 

She  lifted  his  hand,  and  with  infinite  love 
and  humility  laid  it  on  her  breast. 

"  Yes,"  she  answered  softly,  as  the  men 
with  the  torches  approached  near  them. 
"Yes,  O  yes!" 

They  stood  by  the  fountain,  and  the  priest 
had  to  pass  that  way  as  he  went  to  his  house. 
They  could  see  him  approach  in  his  white, 
flowing  garments,  with  his  breastplate  of 
gems ;  and  the  three  snowy  plumes  of  his  office 


HE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


towering  above  his  temples;  a  dark,  haughty 
man,  feared  and  revered  by  even  Pharaoh. 
And  as  he  drew  near  them  Asenath  called  : 

"Father!" 

Amazed,  Pentephres  stopped  in  the  path. 

"  My  daughter,  here  !  "  he  said.  Then,  as 
his  surprise  gave  place  to  sternness,  he  strode 
forward,  questioning  angrily  : 

"  Who  keeps  this  tryst  of  darkness  with 
you?" 

"  Her  husband,  O  priest  of  Heliopolis  !  " 
answered  a  man's  voice,  deep  with  all  love's 
melody.  And  as  he  stepped  forward  into  the 
light  of  the  lifted  torches  those  who  bore  them 
dropped  to  their  knees,  crying  wonderingly  : 

"  Zaphnath  Paaneah  !  " 

For  a  moment  the  two  men  gazed  into  each 
other's  eyes.  Then  the  High  Priest  said 
coldly  : 

"  I  knew  not  such  an  honor  was  upon  my 
house.  Let  us  within  and  talk  the  matter 
over." 

"  You  have  some  reason  for  complaint,  O 
father  of  my  wife,"  replied  the  adon.  "  But 


278  T 


HE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


now  let  my  excuse  be  made  that  we  may  have 
your  blessing.  Come,  my  beloved,  and  win 
your  father's  pardon  for  me." 

He  took  her  hand  in  his,  and  the  three  went 
into  the  house  together. 

Within  an  hour's  time  the  guard  who  kept 
the  outer  gate  was  roused  by  the  call  of  a 
horseman. 

"  Open,  and  let  me  out !  "  he  cried.  "  By 
dawn  I  must  be  at  the  palace  of  the  king. 
The  High  Priest  bids  our  lord  prince  take 
the  bride  his  heart  desires  from  the  hills  of 
Sela.  I  must  make  haste.  Mentu  has  waited 
long!" 

The  porter  swung  the  gates  wide,  and  the 
courier  galloped  through  at  full  speed — the 
hoof-beats  dying  slowly  on  the  air  in  the 
night  stillness  of  Mizraim. 


CHAPTER  XXI 

Palace  and  Tent  of  Stars 

IT  was  the  second  year  of  the  famine.  The 
failure  of  the  fields  had  brought  hunger 
and  disaster  to  many,  but  trade  was 
brisk  for  Jubal,  and  his  inn — on  the  desert 
side  of  the  now  thread-like  river — was  con 
stantly  filled  by  travellers  coming  and  going 
between  the  east  and  Egypt.  For  the  people 
came  up  from  all  the  surrounding  country  to 
exchange  their  money  for  grain;  and  later, 
when  that  had  been  exhausted,  to  barter,  little 
by  little,  the  very  land  that  had  brought  forth 
the  harvests. 

Jubal  stood  at  his  door  when  an  old  man 
riding  a  donkey  came  from  the  path  of  the 
hills  up  to  the  stable-yard,  and  dismounting, 
began  to  untie  a  small  napkin  which  held  a 
handful  of  grain.  The  animal  watched  him 
with  restrained  eagerness  and  turned  down 
one  glossy  ear  for  any  confidence  which  might 


a  CJ->HE   KISS 

^OU  ±        OF   GLORT 


be  tendered  by  his  master  concerning  the 
meagre  refreshment.  Along  the  way  from 
the  east  country  it  had  been : 

"  Eat  sparingly,  O  little  brother,  for  the 
meal  is  low ;  but  once  in  Egypt  you  may  whet 
your  appetite,  remembering  how  we  fasted 
together  on  the  journey."  So  had  he  taken 
his  scant  measure  without  complaint.  But 
here,  in  the  shadow  of  the  land  of  plenty,  he 
was  given  a  few  husks  with  no  excuse  to 
sweeten  them.  He  ground  them  between  his 
teeth  and  meditated  on  the  ways  of  men. 

"  Ho,  Miron !  "  cried  the  innkeeper  jovially, 
"  the  time  is  ripe  for  your  coming,  if  all  your 
grain  pouches  are  as  low  as  this  one.  I  hope 
your  money  has  put  forth  no  sign  of  wings; 
for  according  to  Osiris  we  have  yet  five  years 
in  which  to  plant  golden  seeds  to  raise  the 
crops  of  Pharaoh." 

The  stranger  nodded,  pouting  his  full  lips. 

"  I  doubt  not  before  'tis  done  the  king  will 
own  the  very  flesh  of  Mizraim,"  he  answered. 
"  It  is  an  unjust  law  that  he  has  fixed  upon 
us.  For  seven  years  I  stored  a  fifth  of  what 


CTHE    KISS  00T 

JL       OF    GLORY  ^O± 

my  fields  brought  forth  that  when  the  days 
of  evil  came  I  might  have  plenty  for  myself 
and  others.  But  now,  in  truth,  I  have  to  buy 
what  is  my  own ;  and  lacking  money  give  my 
land  in  payment." 

"  Patience,  good  friend,"  said  Jubal,  with 
the  tolerance  of  one  who  is  benefited  by  the 
conditions  which  afflict  others,  "  and  consider 
what  a  weighty  privilege  it  is  to  come  here 
and  buy  when  else  you  must  be  starving. 
Which  one  of  you  who  grumble  at  the  meth 
ods  of  the  adon  would  have  husbanded  your 
grain  had  he  not  counselled  Pharaoh?  Now 
no  one  starves  because  he  must,  but  only  when 
he  chooses.  Moreover,  had  not  the  king 
kindness  in  his  heart  to  move  his  capital  to 
Memphis  to  make  the  journey  easier  for  all 
who  came  from  Syria?  'Tis  true  he  knew  a 
worthy  man  was  master  of  this  inn  and  sought 
to  favor  me ;  for  much  the  governor  has  told 
him  of  my  ways,  as  he  and  I  are  old  acquaint 
ances." 

The  innkeeper's  chest  rose  like  a  pigeon's, 
and  the  other  old  man  exclaimed: 


E  KISS 

OF 


"  You  know  the  adon  ?    You  ?  " 

"  Even  I,  Jubal.  But  fear  not,  friend ;  I 
still  have  kindness  in  my  soul  for  humbler 
men.  The  matter  was  like  this:  One  day  a 
chariot  rolled  by  me  in  the  avenue  of  obelisks, 
and  I  raised  my  eyes  to  see  a  face  which  vexed 
me  with  a  memory  I  could  not  grasp.  At  first 
it  seemed  that  I  had  met  that  look  in  some  far 
vision.  But  while  I  gazed  with  the  keen 
trouble  engendered  by  the  sight,  the  people 
shouted  '  Zaphnath  Paaneah ! '  and  bowed  the 
knee.  But  still  I  stopped  and  stared,  until 
the  great  man,  looking  down,  cried  out '  Hail, 
Jubal ! '  as  I  might  cry  to  you. 

"  Once  in  my  house,  reached,  I  must  grant 
you,  with  limbs  that  trembled  with  bearing  so 
much  honor,  I  found  my  tablet-book.  And 
there,  as  I  live,  he  was  shown  by  the  picture- 
writing  I  had  made  when  he  came  into 
Egypt." 

"  They  say  he  is  an  Arab,"  observed  the 
Syrian,  sufficiently  impressed,  while  the  pink 
tongue  of  his  beast  still  searched  for  grain 


KISS 
GLORr 


dust  between  the  wiry  brown  fingers  of  his 
extended  hand.     "  A  son  of  Aman  -  " 

"  They  say  !  They  say  !  "  scoffed  Jubal  ex 
citedly.  "  And  it  is  true  that  so  the  chief  him 
self  named  him  to  me.  But  I  have  too  much 
knowledge  of  the  tribes  to  fit  a  face  like  his 
into  the  desert.  If  Egypt  wants  to  know  her 
saviour's  race,  let  Egypt  come  to  me;  for  I 
tell  you,  Miron  of  the  plains,  the  man  is 


A  number  of  men  talking  and  gesticulating 
with  animation  approached,  and  Jubal,  with 
the  instincts  of  his  business,  finished  hur 
riedly  . 

"  Another  time,  O  Miron,  will  I  tell  you  all. 
Now  must  I  go  with  greetings  to  these  sons 
of  Jacob." 

He  turned  and  joined  the  group  that  had 
just  crossed  the  stream — dark,  swarthy  men, 
clad  in  skins  and  mounted  on  horses,  and 
pressed  them  to  stop  and  partake  of  his  well- 
taxed  hospitality.  The  oldest  of  the  number 
— a  man  of  noble  presence — dismounted,  and 
the  others  followed  his  example.  And  as  they 


284 


went  within  the  vaulted  room  between  the 
columns  of  painted  granite  and  sat  to  eat  the 
fare  provided  for  them,  Jubal  said : 

"  Why  do  you  set  your  faces  toward  the  wil 
derness  when  Egypt  wears  robes  of  festival? 
Think  you  the  sheep  that  wait  upon  your  hills 
can  sing  as  sweetly  as  the  dancing  maidens? 
Hark  how  the  very  stones  of  Memphis  clap 
their  hands  for  the  young  governor !  " 

A  sound  of  cheering  and  applause  came  to 
their  ears  from  the  city,  and  Reuben  an 
swered  : 

"  When  we  arose  at  sunrise  every  wall  was 
hung  with  garlands,  and  the  highway  of  the 
kings  was  paved  with  dew-wet  blooms.  We 
heard  the  little  singers  in  the  temple  lift  a 
hymn  of  praise  to  this  one  man,  and  saw  them 
dance  as  flowers  do  at  morning  in  the 
meadows." 

"  It  is  the  same  each  year.  The  king  de 
lights  to  honor  him,"  answered  Jubal;  and 
with  pursed  lips  added :  "  And  I  must  give  ap 
proval  to  his  plan." 

"  You,  in  good  truth !  "  laughed  one  of  the 


HE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


travellers  in  derision.  "  I  trust  the  Pharaoh 
knows  that  Jubal  of  the  inn  is  pleased  with 
his  endeavors."  The  others  joined  in  the  roar 
of  laughter  which  followed  ;  and  the  old  man 
flung  his  arms  and  tried  to  make  them  hear 
above  the  tumult  what  claim  he  had  to  kingly 
favor.  But  before  he  had  succeeded  in  his 
attempt  Judah's  voice  rose  above  the  laugh 
ter: 

"  We  have  not  made  you  answer  to  your 
question,  O  Jubal,"  he  said.  "  We  are  return 
ing  at  the  desire  of  the  governor,  who  bade  us 
lose  no  time  in  taking  our  full  sacks  back  to 
the  hungry  ones  in  Canaan.  But  that  we 
might  not  by  our  haste  lose  all  the  joys  of  the 
festival,  he  made  a  feast  for  us,  alone,  within 
the  palace  banquet  hall  last  night." 

"  A  feast  for  you?  You?  "  The  old  man's 
voice  rose  shrilly  in  his  surprise.  And  Miron, 
the  Syrian,  exclaimed  : 

"  And  sat  he,  the  Egyptian,  with  you  ?  " 
Jubal  was  rocking  his  head  in  his  hands  and 
did  not  heed  the  question.  But  Reuben  an 
swered  : 


286 


OF   GLORT 


"  Even  so.  And  he,  himself,  served  us 
from  dishes  of  gold  and  silver;  and  although 
every  man  had  enough,  our  youngest 
brother's  plate  was  heaped  with  the  choicest 
food  and  set  in  garlands.  To  me  he  gave  the 
first  of  everything,  and  each  was  served  ac 
cording  to  his  years." 

"  What  knew  he  of  your  years  ?  "  ques 
tioned  Jubal  sourly.  "  This  is  a  different  tale 
than  filled  your  mouths  when  last  I  talked  with 
you." 

"  It  is  but  just,  O  Jubal,"  answered  Reuben 
gravely,  "  that  we  should  tell  you  something 
of  this  visit  we  have  made  to  Egypt,  since  in 
your  ears  we  poured  complaints  against  the 
governor,  whose  manner,  when  we  made  our 
former  expedition,  troubled  us.  You  know 
he  met  us  with  dark  looks  and  asked  us  all 
concerning  Jacob  and  ourselves,  and  ques 
tioned  with  strange  interest  of  our  number. 
And  when  we  told  him  that  we  had  a  younger 
brother,  the  apple  of  our  father's  eye,  he  or- 
drered  us  to  bring  him  into  Egypt.  We  told 
you  something  of  the  case  returning  hither." 


HE   KISS 
OF    GLORY 


"  I  remember  well,"  replied  Jubal.  "  Al 
beit  at  the  time  I  had  most  weighty  matters 
on  my  mind  to  entertain  the  hosts  that  came 
to  pay  their  homage  to  Prince  Mentu's  first 
born  son.  I  doubt  if  ever  Egypt  heard  such 
great  rejoicings.  He  is  a  fine  lad  now;  one 
may  see  him  any  day  holding  in  his  little 
hands  the  ribbons  of  a  battle-car  that  Captain 
Potiphar  drives  down  the  way  of  obelisks. 
His  hair  is  like  his  mother's,  and  that  no  doubt 
is  pleasing  to  the  Sun,  who  shows  much  favor 
to  the  red-haired  dwellers  of  the  eastern  hills. 
But  do  you  go  on." 

"  There  is  naught  else  to  say.  The  wrongs 
of  yesterday  are  ever  lost  in  a  new  hour's 
benefits." 

Reuben  turned  away  and  went  out  to  see 
to  the  needs  of  the  horses,  and  the  youngest 
among  the  brothers  said  : 

"  I  would  that  we  had  stayed  a  little  longer. 
There  are  to  be  games,  and  a  company  of 
dwarfs  will  fight  and  jest  in  the  square  that 
fronts  the  palace.  Jova,  the  great  armed 
guard,  will  try  his  strength  against  a  river 


'HE    KISS 


horse  at  sunset,  and  there  will  be  singing 
bands  to  carry  torches  through  the  streets. 
I  would  that  we  had  stayed  a  little  longer  !  " 

"  The  adon  seemed  in  haste  that  we  should 
go,"  remarked  Judah  thoughtfully.  "  He 
seems  a  man  of  many  whims  and  fancies.  At 
first  he  called  us  spies  and  kept  us  in  his  land 
perforce,  and  now  that  we  would  stay  to  join 
his  praises  he  pays  us  honors,  but  hastens  our 
departure." 

Dan  left  the  table  where  the  others  still  sat, 
and  added: 

"  I  think  the  moon  has  won  his  reason.  I 
saw  him  looking  in  the  face  of  Benjamin 
through  tears.  Is  it  his  custom,  think  you, 
so  to  honor  shepherds  ?  " 

"  I  know  not,"  replied  Benjamin  ;  "  but  it 
was  pleasant.  The  news  will  please  our 
father.  I  care  not  how  the  matter  came 
about." 

And  now  the  men  came  out  one  after  an 
other  and  began  preparations  for  departure. 
Miron,  the  Syrian,  who  had  been  in  conver 
sation  with  Reuben  beside  the  well  in  the 


'HE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


289 


stable-yard,  made  his  farewells  to  Jubal  and 
the  brothers  and  started  toward  the  river, 
leading  his  donkey  by  the  bridle.  But  once 
upon  the  bank  he  paused  by  the  low  stream, 
and  then  came  running  back,  with  robes  lifted 
for  his  swifter  progress. 

"  A  company  of  soldiers  come !  "  he  called 
breathlessly.  "  Soldiers  of  the  king !  " 

The  men  at  the  well  turned  curious  faces 
toward  the  troop,  which  was  in  full  sight  and 
making  all  haste  toward  where  they  stood, 
and  the  hearts  of  the  younger  ones  among 
the  sons  of  Jacob  leaped  at  the  dashing  line 
of  armed  and  helmeted  warriors  who  rode 
their  splendid  horses  across  the  shallow  bed  of 
the  Nile.  The  shepherds  in  their  leopard- 
skins  were  in  strong  contrast  to  the  Egyp 
tians;  and  they  watched  them  with  keen  inter 
est  as  they  drew  near. 

The  trained  chargers  climbed  the  bank  gal 
lantly  and  galloped  toward  the  little  group 
of  men  who  held  their  places  by  the  well. 
Then  the  trooper  in  command  halted  and 
spoke  to  Reuben: 


CJ->HE  KISS 
J-      OF  GLORT 


"  We  seek  the  Hebrew  shepherds  who  to 
day  bought  corn  in  Memphis."  And  Reuben 
answered : 

"  Here  are  we.  What  is  your  will  concern 
ing  us  ?  " 

Bewildered,  the  brothers  looked  upon  each 
other  and  the  troops,  and  the  officer  said 
curtly : 

"  Zaphnath  Paaneah,  adon  of  Egypt,  will 
make  that  plain  to  you  when  he  has  found 
the  cup  which  you  have  stolen  from  him. 
Make  haste  and  mount.  His  anger  will  not 
wait." 

Judah  stepped  forward;  the  veins  on  his 
forehead  knotted  like  ropes  and  his  great 
hands  trembled. 

"  Insulter !  "  he  cried.  "  Take  back  your 
words,  nor  dare  to  call  the  sons  of  Jacob 
thieves."  But  Reuben  came  forward  and  laid 
a  hand  on  him,  saying : 

"  Peace,  there  is  some  mistake.  Let  us  go 
at  once,  even  as  he  has  said.  I  dread  no  eyes 
when  I  am  innocent." 

He  spoke  with  grave  dignity  to  the  man, 


CT'HE   KISS 

J.        OF   GLORT 


going  close  and  laying  his  hand  upon  his 
horse's  mane;  and  the  officer,  seeing  his  atti 
tude,  answered  his  questions  courteously.  It 
seemed  the  adon  had  missed  the  drinking  ves 
sel  directly  after  the  feast  which  he  had  given 
to  the  Israelites,  and  had  at  once  accused 
them,  in  hot  anger,  of  taking  it.  "  He  prized 
not  the  cup,"  explained  the  officer,  "  so  much 
as  he  condemned  the  black  ingratitude  of 
those  he  honored  with  his  favor." 

"  We  will  return,"  said  Judah,  "  if  but  to 
shame  him  for  the  wrong  he  does  us.  You 
see,  our  sacks  are  as  we  brought  them  out, 
with  Pharaoh's  seal  upon  the  mouth  of  every 
one.  These  mouths  shall  tell  our  innocence." 

"  Said  I  not  that  he  is  mad?  "  said  Dan  to 
Benjamin.  "  Perhaps  'tis  best  to  humor 
him." 

Levi,  Naphtali,  and  Simeon  were  filled  with 
rage,  and  it  took  all  the  calm  reasoning  of  the 
others  to  make  them  submit  peaceably  to  the 
arrest.  But  after  a  short  space  of  time  they 
were  all  mounted,  and  with  their  grain  over 
their  saddles  making  their  way  back  over  the 


HE    KISS 
OF    GLORT 


road  they  had  travelled  so  joyously  in  the 
morning.  Miron,  the  Syrian,  and  the  inn 
keeper  following  excitedly  after. 

The  streets  of  Memphis  were  gay  with  deco 
rations  in  honor  of  the  ninth  year  of  the  gov 
ernor,  and  the  white  walls  of  the  city  had 
been  newly  painted  with  scenes  of  his  journeys 
through  the  land  gathering  sheaves  of  grain 
and  heading  triumphal  processions  of  harvest 
ers.  Here  and  there  the  artists  had  shown 
him  in  his  battle-car;  or  directing  the  move 
ments  of  a  fleet  of  ships;  and  sometimes  he 
was  mildly  caricatured  as  a  grasshopper  de 
vouring  the  fields ;  or  flattered  in  the  likeness 
of  a  jackal  with  the  sceptre  of  authority.  And 
on  one  lofty  monument  was  the  record  of  a 
youth  slaying  a  lion  with  an  arrow. 

Throngs  in  gala  dress  and  humor  passed  the 
Hebrews,  who  were  hurried  between  their 
guards  to  the  door  of  the  adon's  house.  But 
even  as  they  waited  for  an  audience  in  the 
great  hall,  a  woman,  slender  and  young,  was 
swinging  against  the  governor's  breast,  mak 
ing  a  petition  for  them. 


HE   KISS 
OF    GLORY 


"  Be  not  so  hard,"  she  said,  with  tears  in 
her  great  eyes.  "  Why  are  you  through  so 
slight  a  thing  so  grievously  offended?  My 
heart  went  out  to  that  young  shepherd;  and 
I  deemed  that  you  had  in  your  voice,  when 
you  spoke  to  him,  something  of  that  same 
tenderness  you  keep  for  the  two  boys  who 
call  you  father.  Dear  love,  be  not  so  hard." 

Her  lips  were  scarlet,  and  he  laid  his  own 
upon  them.  But  he  looked  at  all  her  tender 
beauty  through  his  tears.  "  Stay  near  me,  O 
my  wife,"  he  said  with  emotion.  "  I  cannot 
tell  you  what  is  in  my  heart,  but  be  sure  that 
it  has  naught  of  anger.  Come  to  the  hall." 

He  put  his  arm  around  Asenath's  waist  and 
held  her  little  jewelled  hand  against  his  breast. 
And  so  the  shepherds  saw  them,  as  they  en 
tered  together. 

Once  there,  the  woman  put  her  lips  close  to 
the  governor's  ear  for  a  moment,  but  they 
did  not  hear  her  whisper  her  sweet  pity. 
They  waited  with  stern,  white  looks  the  face 
of  their  accuser,  and  their  sacks  lay  on  the 
marble  floor,  each  at  its  owner's  feet. 


THE  KISS 

-L        OF   GLORT 


The  governor  stepped  forward.  He  was 
dressed  in  a  mantle  of  white,  lustrous  silk  over 
a  close-fitting  tunic,  richly  embroidered  in 
many  colors.  A  chain  of  precious  stones 
hung  on  his  breast,  and  his  arms  and  ankles 
were  clasped  with  heavy  bands  of  gold.  As 
he  left  the  side  of  his  wife,  he  threw  up  his 
right  arm  with  his  mantle  upon  it  and  covered 
his  face  from  the  shepherds,  and  thus  stood 
silently  before  them. 

The  soldiers,  at  a  motion  from  their  leader, 
knelt  down  and  opened  the  sacks;  and  sud 
denly  a  boyish  cry  sounded  through  the  lofty 
room: 

"  It  is  not  true !  It  is  not  true !  I  did  not 
take  the  cup." 

"  I  found  it  in  your  sack,  boy,"  answered 
the  soldier  sternly,  holding  aloft  the  silver 
vessel,  and  Benjamin  ran  across  with  a  sob 
bing  cry  and  threw  himself  at  the  adon's  feet. 
The  breast  of  the  governor  heaved  convul 
sively,  and  he  bent  quickly  over  the  prostrate 
form,  only  to  straighten  and  stand  as  before, 
as  though  waiting  for  something.  Asenath, 


E   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


moved  by  some  unguessed  emotion,  drew 
near  to  his  side  and  touched  his  arm  with  a 
caressing  hand.  Then  there  was  a  movement 
among  the  shepherds,  and  Judah  walked  for-' 
ward  out  of  the  group.  His  face  was  pale 
and  drawn,  and  he  spoke  in  a  voice  broken 
by  emotion: 

"  In  the  black  tents  of  Hebron,  O  adon  of 
Egypt,  an  old  man  sits  alone.  This  boy  was 
named  Benoni  by  his  mother's  dying  lips,  and 
he  is  all  that  Jacob  has  to  speak  to  him  of 
Rachel." 

He  paused,  great  tears  falling  down  his 
cheeks,  and  the  others  flung  themselves  upon 
the  floor,  covering  their  faces,  as  he  con 
tinued  :  "  You  know,  O  prince,  by  that 
strange  magic  which  you  use  to  read  all 
hearts,  that  we  and  this  young  lad  are  inno 
cent  of  what  has  here  been  charged  against 
us.  But  we  are  guilty  men  "  —  hoarse  cries 
came  from  the  others  as  he  spoke  —  "  and  for 
the  wrongs  of  other  days  there  must  be  made 
a  recompense."  He  advanced  toward  the 
governor  with  arms  outstretched.  "  Take 


296  T 


HE   KISS 
OF    GLORT 


my  life,  O  Egypt,  and  let  the  boy  haste  to  the 
empty  arms  of  Jacob !  " 

Soldiers  and  a  few  members  of  the  vice 
regal  household  had  crowded  into  the  place, 
but  every  man  stood  motionless.  Then  the 
governor,  suddenly  uncovering  his  face, 
swept  out  his  hands  in  a  gesture  of  dismissal, 
and  they  went  out  wondering  at  his  looks. 

For  a  moment  there  was  silence  in  the  great 
hall  save  for  the  heavy,  muffled  sobs  of  men. 
But  unable  longer  to  control  himself,  the 
adon  stooped  low  and  raised  Benjamin  to  his 
breast.  Then,  with  a  cry  so  full  of  love  and 
tenderness  that  the  shepherds  heard  amazed 
and  struggled  to  their  feet,  he  stretched  his 
arms  toward  them  and  said : 

"  Do  you  not  know  me  ?  Look  at  me ! 
Come  to  me !  It  is  I — Joseph,  your  brother, 
whom  you  sold  into  Egypt !  " 

Tears  rained  from  his  eyes;  but  terrified 
and  dismayed,  the  skin-clad  shepherds  hud 
dled  away  from  him  toward  the  wall;  only 
Benjamin,  the  blameless,  staying  beside  him. 
But  he  followed  them  saying: 


rHE   KISS 
OF   GLORT 


"  Look  not  so  strangely  on  me,  for  my 
heart  has  only  love  for  you.  Reuben,  touch 
my  hand.  Judah,  you  paid  your  debt  but 
now,  when  you  made  intercession  for  Benoni. 
Look  up,  O  sons  of  Jacob,  and  give  me  tid 
ings  of  our  father." 

They  came  forward  hesitatingly,  and  would 
have  knelt  had  not  Joseph  clasped  them  in 
his  arms.  Then  Reuben  said  tremblingly: 

"  Let  us  go  hence,  O  brother,  for  a  little 
while.  Our  hearts  are  faint  beneath  your 
great  forgiveness.  After  a  time  we  will  re 
turn.  Now  must  we  weep  alone." 

He  gave  consent,  and  they  left  the  hall  in 
company,  silent,  and  as  men  might  walk  in 
dreams.  But  Benjamin  smiled  back  as  he 
reached  the  door. 

Then  Joseph  returned  between  the  fluted 
columns  to  where  his  wife  stood  by  the  table 
of  parchments.  They  were  alone;  and  he 
threw  himself  on  a  couch  wearily,  and  she 
bent  without  speech  and  kissed  his  eyes. 

Only  to  her  had  he  told  the  visions  of  the 
fields;  and  now  they  were  fulfilled.  But  she 


298 


CT'HE   KISS 

J-        OF   GLORT 


had  not  known  his  brothers  until  that  moment 
of  revealment. 

"  O  love,"  she  said  at  last,  leaning  her 
cheek  against  the  richly-embroidered  garment 
on  his  breast,  "  I  think  of  that  other  many- 
colored  coat,  and  of  the  boy  who  wore  it  to 
his  sorrow!  Why  gave  you  these  hard  men 
tears  for  their  punishment  ?  " 

There  was  wonder  in  her  tones  and  some 
resentment.  But  he  answered : 

"  Through  their  rough  hands  I  came  to  res 
cue  Egypt.  But,  O  my  wife,  that  is  not  all ! 
I  must  make  recompense  to  them  for  each 
sweet  kiss  and  every  dear  embrace  that  you 
have  given  me.  But  tell  me.  Has  your  pride 
some  little  hurt  remembering  that  I  am  a 
shepherd  ? " 

He  rose  as  he  spoke,  and  she,  slipping  to 
her  knees,  raised  the  hem  of  his  mantle  to  her 
lips  and  answered : 

'''  You  are  my  lord,  my  king,  and  hus 
band!" 

And  he  bent  and  lifted  her  and  held  her  to 
his  breast. 

THE   END 


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